Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL)

Local governments are responsible for a wide range of services that shape people’s daily lives, from sanitation and water to health care, education, and public safety. These services have a profound impact on women and girls, who often face unique barriers in accessing them equitably. Yet, municipal plans and services frequently overlook the realities of women's lives, including the ways they move through public space and engage in local economies, leaving gaps that can increase exposure to increased risks to their health and safety, including gender-based violence.

Achieving gender parity in local councils and ensuring inclusive approaches to service delivery are proven measures that FCM has implemented in various settings and locations to tackle socio-economic disparities, help redress democratic deficits and improve gender equality. Through the Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) project, FCM and Canadian municipal experts are working with partners in Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, and Zambia to strengthen local governance systems. This peer-to-peer collaboration supports women in leadership, enhances service delivery, and promotes gender equality, ensuring that municipal institutions are more responsive to the needs of all community members.

Local Leadership in Action at the 2025 FCM Annual Conference

The FCM Annual Conference brought thousands of municipal leaders to Ottawa — and PMI-WILL was proud to be part of it. Through powerful conversations and inspiring leadership, international and Canadian partners showcased how local action can drive systemic change and strengthen communities for all.

Women elected officials from Cambodia, Benin, Zambia, and Ghana joined Canadian counterparts to share experiences, exchange lessons, and highlight how inclusive governance can transform local decision-making. The panel “Breaking Barriers, Building Inclusive Communities,” brought together women local government leaders from Benin, Zambia and Canada. They inspired the audience by sharing practical insights and strategies to overcome systemic barriers that women face in local politics across the globe and how to build more inclusive, representative local governments.

Explore the PMI-WILL Impact Report 2024-2025

PMI-WILL continued driving progress on gender-responsive, inclusive local governance in Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Zambia. Despite shifting contexts, partners strengthened women’s leadership and advanced institutional reforms for gender equality.

This year marked an important turning point, with new policies, strategic plans, anti-harassment measures, stronger women’s networks, and more gender-responsive services. Women from diverse backgrounds were visible as agents of change. Youth and men increasingly became allies. International exchanges, including the first in-Canada exchange for Cambodia municipalities, accelerated learning and innovation with Canadian municipalities.

What changed in Year 4

• Women won national recognition through new awards programs in three countries.
• Women administrators in Benin reported increased confidence to influence decisions.
• Major legal wins in Sri Lanka and Ghana strengthened national frameworks for gender equality.
• Eleven local governments launched gender-responsive services, from maternal health to legal ID access.

We invite you to explore the full report and discover how together we are building more inclusive, effective and resilient local governance for all.

Inclusive, gender-responsive service initiatives

PMI-WILL is driving change in partnership with municipal and community actors by supporting initiatives that enhance service delivery, promote inclusive governance, and create lasting benefits for communities—particularly for women and marginalized groups.

Inclusive, gender-responsive initiatives implemented by Local Governments in our partner countries:

Communes in Cambodia and Benin are already seeing results!

Cambodia: Delivering Inclusive Services

Municipal teams are working with community leaders to improve everyday services for families, especially women and children. In Kralanh, women leaders are leading efforts to improve maternal and child health by launching local awareness campaigns and health programs. In Mesang, municipal partners are promoting positive parenting, child safety, and hygiene through education initiatives aimed at parents, students, and teachers.

Improving solid waste management is also a key priority in Keab and Tuek Chhou. Local governments are partnering with vendors and residents to implement sustainable practices that will lead to cleaner environments, particularly in and around schools. In Rolea B’ier, efforts are underway to expand access to clean water and improve sanitation infrastructure, with a strong focus on schools and vulnerable households. Together, these initiatives aim to enhance public health, reduce inequalities, and build more resilient communities.

“Today reaffirmed the need for local economic development to be matched with strong ecological stewardship and the capacity to manage the impacts of growth. It also highlighted the value of initiatives like PMI-WILL in supporting inclusive and responsive local governance.”
—Chris Coleman, Councillor at the City of Victoria -  At the PAC meeting in Cambodia

Benin: Making civil documentation more accessible

In the communes of Ouèssè and Bonou, local governments are working to improve access to legal identity documents by improving information about birth registration systems, simplifying administrative procedures and offering tailored support to women and people with disabilities. Birth certificates are essential for securing basic rights like healthcare and education. In Adjarra, Dassa-Zoumé, and Kétou, municipalities are investing in their public institutions to strengthen local service delivery. With a focus on gender-responsive approaches, staff are being trained and systems improved to better meet community needs. As a result, Kétou,has issued 103 new birth certificates, giving residents access to vital documentation and greater inclusion in civic life.

“I was impressed by the dedication of the project participants and their willingness to implement initiatives to provide municipal services to communities, and more specifically to women and marginalized groups. I am confident that these initiatives will be welcome and will help to improve accessibility for women in the various spheres of local governance.”
—Anne Juneau, MRC de Marguerite-D'Youville

Why this matters? These initiatives respond to service gaps identified by women and individuals from marginalized groups and represent real change for thousands of people in our partner municipalities. PMI-WILL is strengthening communities, improving lives, and ensuring that women are at the forefront of local leadership and governance.

Recognizing women leaders and celebrating excellence in Local Governance

Across the PMI-WILL project, national partners are championing the contributions of women in municipal leadership, and new awards are shining a spotlight on the women who are shaping stronger, more inclusive communities. The awards not only celebrate excellence—they also encourage more women to step into leadership roles and drive change where it matters most

Ghana: Honoring Women in Local Government

The National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) celebrated 22 outstanding women councillors with NALAG’s first-ever Gender Equality, Inclusion, and Women’s Empowerment Awards, recognizing their leadership and impact in their communities.

"Gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it is a national and global development issue. If we are to truly reflect, review, and reset, we must ensure that women are not just part of the conversation but leading the change."
—Hon. Alfred Asiedu Adjei, NALAG President

Cambodia: The Excellence Prize for Women in Local Leadership

The National League of Local Councils of the Kingdom of Cambodia (NLC) launched an award recognizing outstanding women in municipal leadership. Open to both elected and appointed women, this award amplifies their contributions and inspires others to step into leadership roles. Three women leaders were awarded in kind support to projects supporting marginalized groups in their municipalities and 5 finalists were given certificates.

Zambia: Advancing women’s leadership through recognition and systemic reform

At the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) Annual Conference, the second edition of this prestigious award recognized 5 exceptional women for their leadership and service. More than that, LGAZ modernizes its constitution in favour of women.
A historic constitutional amendment was passed at the conference: a minimum of 30% women’s representation is now guaranteed across all LGAZ governing bodies, including its Presidency.
This achievement is the result of sustained leadership, dialogue, and the collective efforts of Zambia’s local government champions, especially the women who have long navigated underrepresentation and demanded more inclusive structures.
FCM is proud to walk alongside LGAZ and other partners in supporting systems change that reflects the realities and leadership of women at the local level, opening the door wider for women leaders today and in the future.