THE FEMALE FACTOR

Elisabeth Gateau

Increasing the number of women in local decision-making holds the key to environmental sustainability.

There are many key factors for achieving environmental sustainability, but the effective management of cities is crucial. And the role of women in local decision-making is particularly important for long-term success. The members of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)-the world local government organization-are committed to supporting initiatives for more women in local government to achieve both gender equality and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Increasing the number of elected women makes a tangible difference to the decisions taken by local authorities and can foster the changes in culture and perception needed to push issues like environmental sustainability and gender equality up the agenda. Systematically integrating women augments the democratic basis, as well as the efficiency and quality, of local government activities.

The link between women's participation in governance, gender advancement and achieving the MDGs has long been underestimated. Leadership shown by women in the world's poorest communities is a vital tool for achieving the goals, and increasing their number in local decision-making is therefore important not only for women but for men, children and all humanity.

UCLG also supports partnerships between elected and grassroots women. The work of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Maathai, shows the impact of grassroots women in Kenya. Initiatives to establish regular dialogue between grassroots women's groups and women mayors and councilors have proven to be an effective global tool in getting more women into politics and advancing gender-sensitive policies. Networks of elected women, such as in Latin America and Europe, have facilitated national, regional and global exchange on safer cities programs-and better planning to address women's concerns.

UCLG research estimates that 20% of the world's councilors are female. Europe still has the highest participation of women in decision making, but the gap is closing with other regions like Latin America. Indeed, some African countries, such as Namibia and Uganda, now rival the most advanced nations in Europe with over 40% women's participation at local level.*

Gender Equality

There is a long way to go to reach the levels of gender equality necessary for sustainable development, but there is a clear opportunity to take decisive action. That is why the UN Millennium Project Task Force recommends that women's participation in local political bodies should be an indicator in measuring progress in achieving the MDGs.

Mayors and councilors will go to the UN Millennium Summit in September to request support and recognition as leaders for global change. Local governments are uniquely placed to implement the MDGs and this must be recognized if they are to be achieved by 2015.

Success in achieving sustainability does not just benefit from the increased participation of women in local politics-it depends on it. Every day elected women are making a real and tangible difference to the quality of local, national and global governance. Women mayors and councilors in cities and communities are leading the way to a more sustainable, equitable and just world.

*In the U.S., 15% of congresspersons are women; 22% of state legislators are women.

Source: UNEP, Our Planet, vol 16, #1. Elisabeth Gateau is Secretary General of United Cities and Local Government. For more information about the Millennium Development Goals, go to http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals