Cr Sam Spinks tabled a notice of motion at the February meeting for councillors to do the training at a briefing session within the next two months, which was unanimously voted for.
Cr Summer said she had initially planned to vote against the motion, seeing it as a tick and flick exercise, but then saw some “strong resistance” to the idea.
“That changed my mind about whether or not we needed this training, because now I really think we do,” she said.
“It is responding to concerns voiced by valued female councillors who wish to disrupt those same gender biases that have perpetrated this council, and every council probably since their inception.”
Saying she was speaking generally, Cr Summer said in her experience women did not necessarily have the safety net of an “assumed brohood”.
“I think it's wonderful that the men here have such tight relationships, but often intentional or otherwise, women have been excluded,” she said.
“Our lives are different — we have differing time constraints due to differing family roles, differing work commitments, differing domestic duties, differing priorities.
“We do not necessarily have a supportive partner or willing networks to assist us in performing our role.
“These barriers are real to some and they often go unnoticed.”
Cr Spinks said she had informally requested the training multiple times with no outcome, so tabled the notice of motion for a formal decision.
She said she recently had “gender-based experiences” that were the catalyst to bring the notice of motion.
“I have watched multiple women in local government across Victoria experience barriers and challenges solely based on their gender, which shows me that this work is needed across our sector,” she said.
“When councillors are elected, they do not suddenly become all-knowing, we continue to be flawed with bias and with strengths and weaknesses.
“But suddenly, those flaws and biases have a power to impact others.”
Speaking in support of the motion, Cr Anthony Brophy said it could go further to include training for other cultural and social awareness issues.
Councillors are required to undergo various training programs, including gender equity, when they are first elected, but agreed a mid-term refresher would be beneficial.
The training would be organised by council using its professional development budget.
