Join us for an insightful webinar on the work of the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network (ComWLG), highlighting its mission to support women’s participation in local governance. This session will provide a deep dive into the Network’s work in South Asia where programming over the 2020 - 2024 period has included a focus on networking women at national levels, peer-to-peer capacity building for rural women leaders, advocacy towards key national institutions, and the development of a gender charter for local government in South Asia. The session will also touch on the wider work of the network, and the key priorities going forward. This webinar highlights how the network is actively contributing to SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women & girls, and SDG 10: Reducing inequalities through increasing women’s representation and voice in local governance.

The session will kick off with remarks from Counsellor Frazette Gibson, Chairperson of the ComWLG, who will share insights into the network’s objectives and notable achievements since its inception. Following her introduction, Janine Xavier Cross, Senior Programme Officer - Networks, Commonwealth Local Government Forum, will present an overview of the ComWLG’s broader goals and cross-regional collaborations aimed at empowering women. Anuya Kuwar, CLGF’s Regional Manager for South Asia, will then provide an in-depth exploration of the network’s work in the region, detailing impactful activities and outcomes achieved over recent years. Participants will also hear a personal account from a South Asian political representative, who will discuss her transformative journey within local government, illustrating the real-world impact of the ComWLG’s initiatives. To provide a comprehensive perspective, Mr. Bhim Raskar, Director of RSCD, will contribute insights on the support provided to enhance women's leadership in the region, and Sarpanch, Dr Kavita Ware will share her personal experience with regard to the Network’s support and her leadership journey.

This webinar promises to be an essential platform for discussing the challenges and successes of promoting gender equality in local governance, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. We invite you to participate in this vital conversation on empowering women in public life!