Peer Learning and Exchange on: “Promoting Women’s Rights at Local Level”
On 19th March 2025 , the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) through its African Local Government Academy (ALGA) and REFELA Network, in Partnership and collaboration with the lnternational Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at the Local and Regional Level under the Auspices of UNESCO Graz, launched a series of Peer Learning and Exchange Webinars focusing on: Promoting Women’s Rights at the Local Level.
The first webinar on: “Participation of women in local politics” register participation of representatives from about 14 Countries including Austria, France, Germany, and Africa Local and Regional Governments (Botswana, Ghana, Eswatini, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda).
Women shared best practices and challenges related to promoting inclusive political participation at the local level, with a particular emphasis on engaging marginalized communities, creating an enabling environment to promote women participation in local politics, and to facilitate a balance between their responsibilities at local level and within their families, as well as investing in Networking and Capacity Building.
The Peer Learning involved:
- Hon. Ms. Elke Kahr, Mayor of the City of Graz, Austria,
- Hon. Ms. Fatna El Khiel, Vice-President of REFELA for North Africa, President of REFELA-Morocco Chapter, President of the Communal Council of Arbaoua, Kingdom of Morocco,
- Hon. Ms. Milka Moraa Areba, Member of the County Assembly, Mombasa County, President of the Women Caucus of REFELA-Kenya Chapter, Vice-President of REFELA for East Africa,
- Hon. Ms. Aatimad Zahidi, President of Skhirate-Temara Prefectoral Council, Kingdom of Morocco,
- Hon. Mrs Leslee Way, Siteki Town Council Deputy Mayor Kingdom of Eswatini,
- Cll. Ms. Doreen Kalimba, Member of RALGA Board, Chair of Local Economic Development Commission, Chairperson of Kayonza District Council, Rwanda,
- Anna Majcan, Managing Director Women’s Council Graz, Austria,
- and Dr. Elke Lujansky –Lammer, Chairwoman Human Rights Council Graz, Austria.
This first event was moderated by Dr. Isabella Meier, UNESCO C2 Centre Graz and Dr. Najat Zarrouk, Director, UCLG Africa.
The 2nd Webinar is scheduled on Prevention of gender-based violence, on 10th June 2025, and the 3rd one, on Social inclusion through sports, on 29 October 2025.
The supporting documents:
– Opening Remarks of Hon. Ms Elke Kahr, Mayor of the City of Graz, Austria
– Opening Remarks of Hon. Ms. Fatna El Khiel, Vice-President of REFELA for North Africa,
– Sharing the experience of the Kingdom of Morocco, By Hon. Ms Aatimad ZAHIDI, President of the Prefectoral Council of Skhirate-Temara, Morocco.
– Sharing the experience on Promoting women’s rights at the local level in Rwanda, By Cll MS DOREEN KALIMBA Member of RALGA Board, Chair of Local Economic Development Commission, Chairperson of Kayonza District Council, Rwanda