Pacific Women in Local Government Network (WiLG)

Women’s networks in the Pacific play a very important role in promoting awareness of gender issues and encouraging a sense of support and camaraderie amongst women at all levels. Preliminary research has found that women in local government are often outside the sphere of existing women’s networks and have limited access to capacity building and knowledge sharing opportunities. Increasing the levels of exchange and support for women in local government, in particular those seeking leadership positions, to ensure their visibility and credibility require the cultivation of a dedicated network.
The WiLG Network is intended to bring together local government employees, councilors and other women and men eager to discuss new ideas across the local government sector. The network will be an informal think-tank committed to promoting gender equality, enhancing local governance and empowering communities that have the needs of women, men, girls and boys at heart.
The main purpose of the network is to:

• Raise awareness of the contributions and achievements of women in local government;
• Promote strategies to accelerate the advancement of women in decision-making positions;
• Provide professional development opportunities for women in local government at all levels;
• Provide networking opportunities nationally, regionally and internationally, and
• Promote best council practices in engendering workplace policies, practices and service delivery

WiLG networks have so far been formed in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Bougainville (Buka and Arawa) and the Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal).