These principles are:

1. Gender Equity That women and men have an equal right to be representatives in local governments committees and decision-making positions.
2. Diversity The inclusion of different experiences and perspectives in local governments and community decision-making strengthens local democratic governance and helps build cohesive communities. Councils and communities encourage and welcome the participation of all women.
3. Active Citizenship Local governments will work with the community to increase the numbers and participation of women in public life so that decision-making more clearly represents and reflects the interests and demographies of communities.

Supporting Womens Participation in Victorian Local Governments

Local governments in their capacity as the governments closest to communities are in a unique position to contribute to the global goal of gender equity for women.

This Charter is consistent with state national and international protocols which highlight equal rights and opportunities as central to good local governance including:

• The Declaration on the Role of Australian Local Government (1997)
• The Worldwide Declaration on Women in Local Government (1998)
• The Victorian Code of Good Governance (2000)
• The National Framework for Women in Local Government 2007
• The Victorian Human Rights afrnd Responsibilities Charter 2006