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.

Check our latest impact report and discover how together we are building more inclusive, effective and resilient local governance for all.

Strengthening policies and institutional capacity

PMI-WILL is supporting local governments and Local Government Associations (LGAs) in strengthening the institutional policies and systems that contribute to inclusive, safe, and effective local governance.
Through training, technical support, and peer learning, LGA partners are advancing policies and practices related to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), helping strengthen safeguarding measures, institutional accountability, and ethical public service practices. This work also includes support for the development and implementation of organizational policies related to financial sustainability, human resources, procurement, gender equality, and sexual harassment prevention.
In Benin and Cambodia, local government partners are being encouraged to adopt association-led gender and sexual harassment policies at the municipal level, helping strengthen consistency and accountability across local governance institutions.
In Ghana, PMI-WILL supported the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), through collaboration with the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), in validating a national Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) policy for all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). This represents an important step toward institutionalizing safeguarding measures across the country’s local government system.
Together, these efforts are helping strengthen institutional resilience, improve governance practices, and create safer and more inclusive environments for municipal staff and the communities they serve.

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.

In Sri Lanka, the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities celebrated women leaders in local governance during the Abhimani 2026 Awards Ceremony, held to mark International Women’s Day. In her remarks, Isabella Martin, Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, highlighted both the country’s historic milestones for women in leadership and the continued efforts needed to strengthen women’s political representation and participation.
The ceremony recognized the commitment of 39 women mayors, chairpersons, councillors, administrators, and civil society leaders advancing inclusive local governance across the country.

In Benin, PMI-WILL partner ANCB (Association Nationale des Communes du Bénin) honoured 15 women leaders at a ceremony in Cotonou. Village chiefs, elected officials, and mayors were recognized for their outstanding contributions to local development and to advancing women’s leadership. Each laureate received a trophy, sash, certificate, and financial award, celebrating their dedication, determination, and impact in their communities.

In Cambodia, the National League of Local Councils (NLC) recognized women leaders in local governance through its annual awards program. This year, 45 women were nominated for their outstanding contributions, including:

• 36 women serving as chiefs of councils across three mandates
• 5 women chief councillors from First Nation communities
• 4 women chief councillors from youth groups (under 35)

These awards celebrate women’s leadership, promote inclusive governance, and inspire the next generation of women leaders.

In Ghana, NALAG celebrated International Women’s Day in Koforidua under the theme “Give to Gain.” The event brought together local government leaders and partners to share experiences, promote mentorship, and recognize 16 outstanding women leaders through the Gender Equality, Inclusion and Women Empowerment Awards. Speakers emphasized that supporting women’s leadership strengthens communities and leads to more inclusive decision-making.

Inclusive, gender-responsive service initiatives

PMI-WILL in partnership with municipal and community actors is 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:

Cambodia: Delivering Inclusive Services

In Kralanh, local authorities are addressing persistent challenges in maternal and child health, including malnutrition and limited access to care. Through community consultations and targeted initiatives, the district is strengthening local capacity, promoting gender-sensitive health practices, and supporting pregnant women, caregivers, and families to improve nutrition and health outcomes.

In Mesang, municipalities are tackling social challenges affecting families through a Positive Parenting in Vulnerable Communities initiative. By building parenting skills, particularly among women caregivers, and promoting healthy family dynamics, the initiative is helping reduce violence, improve child development, and strengthen community relationships.

Improving solid waste management is a key priority in Teuk Chhou and Kep. In Teuk Chhou, enhanced waste services are improving cleanliness and environmental health for more than 46,000 residents. Women vendors are playing an active role, with approximately 3,200 gaining knowledge and participating in responsible waste management practices. These efforts are contributing to cleaner public spaces, including areas that support local tourism.
In Kep, strengthened municipal systems, increased public awareness, and improved coordination with communities are helping address long-standing waste management challenges. These efforts are restoring confidence in local services while contributing to a healthier and more attractive urban environment.

In Rorlea B’ier, initiatives to improve clean water access, sanitation, and hygiene practices are benefiting vulnerable households, schools, and communities. Implementation has evolved to include stronger coordination, local leadership, and ongoing community engagement, recognizing that sustainable improvements require both technical solutions and behavior change.
Across these Cambodian municipalities, initiatives are not only improving access to essential services, but also strengthening local leadership, promoting inclusive participation, and building more resilient, healthy communities.
 

“Community members are more aware of waste disposal, water safety, and household cleanliness, and these practices are increasingly normalized.”
—Mrs. Om Saveth, a farmer in rural area in Rorlea B’ier district, Cambodia

Benin: Making civil documentation more accessible

In the communes of Ouèssè and Bonou, local governments worked 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 enrolled   birth certificates of 162 children onto the ANIP portal, increasing  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

Implementing construction initiatives that support local communities

Ghana, Sri Lanka and Zambia: 12 infrastructure related initiatives have begun activities in Ghana, Sri Lanka and Zambia with a focus on structures that support the health, education and livelihood of women and marginalized groups. From playgrounds and kindergarten blocks in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka and Kwahu-West, Ghana to mental health and vocational training centres in Zambia, these initiatives improve access and quality of service provision to women and marginalized groups.

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.

Learning together: Canadian municipal perspectives

Canadian municipalities, elected officials, and provincial and territorial associations play a central role in the success of PMI-WILL. Through peer-to-peer exchanges, and joint learning initiatives, Canadian partners share municipal expertise and strengthen their own practices through collective reflection and exchange.
This collaboration supports stronger local governance in Canada, advances inclusive leadership practices, and enhances municipal service delivery. Through PMI-WILL, municipalities and PTAs from across the country have come together to reflect on lessons from international engagement and how these insights continue to shape local leadership, decision-making, and collaboration at home.

What emerged is a shared understanding: municipal knowledge grows stronger when it circulates, across regions, across contexts, and across borders.

Webinar recording: Women in Leadership – Breaking Barriers and Building Support

On March 11, the FCM Collective hosted the webinar Women in Leadership: Breaking Barriers and Building Support, bringing together women leaders from Canada and partner countries to discuss how mentorship, solidarity, and shared experiences can strengthen women’s leadership in local government.
Moderated by the Canadian Labour Congress, the webinar featured:

• Edith Allan Ablormeti, Assembly Member, Akome Electoral Area, Ghana
• Kanungwe Chota, Council Chairperson, Kanchibiya District, Zambia
• Kathy Valentino, President of AMM and 2nd Vice-President of FCM
• Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Labour Congress

The discussion reflected the spirit of the PMI-WILL initiative—rooted in collaboration, peer learning, and collective action to advance women’s leadership and inclusive local governance.
Watch the webinar recording