UCLG Africa’s journey towards a fully decentralized and unified Africa needed to address the issue of gender participation. If 50% of Africa’s population is not included in the process then building unity can never be achieved. UCLG Africa’s membership encouraged the secretariat to engage and support women as representatives at local government level and the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa, was created.

Following the first role, or have been nominated for similar functions within a local African community, can join . The network is comprised of locally elected women from the five major African regions: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa.