Women urged to speak up

Karen McKeown
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While it shouldn’t take a concerted effort to ensure women have a voice, Penrith Council has taken the step to make sure of it.

Later this month Penrith Council will host an education and training program for women, Empowering Women in Local Government, to encourage women to start using their voice.

Mayor Karen McKeown, who is Penrith’s first female Mayor in 10 years, said she was delighted by the opportunity to give women a stronger voice in local government.

“There is a level of inequity with the amount of female representation in local government,” she said.

“Penrith Council has been at the forefront of gender equity for some time now and has been recognised for its programs to provide equity in its workforce.”

In 2010, Penrith Council was nationally accredited for their long term commitment to gender equality, and received a bronze award in the 50:50 Vision – Councils for Gender Equity program.

Developed by the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) and the University of Technology Sydney, the Empowering Women in Local Government program is for all women interested in local government and those already working in the sector.

For more information on the program, go to www.algwa.org.au.


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