In celebration of CLGF’s 30th Anniversary, we are honoured to spotlight the inspiring stories of 30 trailblazing women in local government from across the Commonwealth, all members of the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network. These interviews celebrate their groundbreaking contributions to gender equality and their transformative impact on building inclusive, empowered communities.

Dr Folasade Adeyemo (Nigeria)

Hon. Dr. Folasade Waliat Adeyemo is a distinguished Nigerian leader who brings over five decades of purposeful public service to her work and leadership. She is Executive Chairman of Odeda Local Government and is the first female Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ogun State Chapter, where she champions transparency and local government autonomy. She recognises that while there are still significant challenges for women in leadership, gradually women are moving from the background to the forefront, from the backseat to the driver’s seat, and she is proud to have been able to bring more women into local politics.

Read her full interview here 

Kerry Breedy-Prince (Dominica)

Kerry Breedy-Prince has served as Mayor of Portsmouth, Dominica since November 2020, becoming the town’s second female mayor after several terms on the Portsmouth Town Council. Her leadership is grounded in community development, inclusive governance, and sustainable growth for one of Dominica’s most important urban centres. She recognises the progress made in Dominica to bring more women in to leadership but they are still fewer in number and are often judged more harshly than their male colleagues. She entered local government because she wanted to serve her community at a deeper level, to help shape policies that could make a real difference in people’s daily lives.

Read her full interview here

Gladys Wanga (Kenya)

Gladys Wanga is the Governor of Homa Bay County, Kenya. She is a trailblazing leader making history in 2013 as the first Woman Representative for Homa Bay County. She was re-elected unopposed in 2017 and has since held several national leadership roles, including Chair of the Finance and National Planning Committee of the National Assembly - the first woman to do so. In 2022, she became the first woman elected Governor of Homa Bay County.  Governor Wanga is a strong advocate for inclusive governance, women’s empowerment, and public service leadership. She was driven by a passion to be a changemaker, and was inspired by the trailblazers who came before her, such as the late Phoebe Asiyo and other women leaders who broke barriers and made their mark in history. Her most rewarding experience has been witnessing how her decision to run for office and ultimately win has inspired younger women to pursue their dreams.

Read her full interview here

CLGF 30th Anniversary Commemoration

The Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network (ComWLG) is championing women leaders from all corners of the Commonwealth. You can also view the full set of interviews on the 30 for 30 page

We are active across social media, and we have a dedicated Facebook page where you can network with others interested in women in leadership and women’s political empowerment.