CWP Gender-Sensitising Parliaments
How can you make your Parliament a gender-sensitive institution?
The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network is an active advocate for women's representation in Parliament, seeking to ensure Parliaments are gender-sensitive institutions.
The CWP's work on Gender Sensitive Parliaments goes as far back as 2001 when CPA Parliaments arranged a study group held in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia following a suggestion made by the CWP Steering Committee.
The aim of the study group was to identify concrete strategies and mechanisms to make Commonwealth parliaments gender sensitive.
A copy of the Report can be read at the link below.
Following substantive work undertaken by women parliamentarians and the Secretariat over the years, the CWP network has produced two complementary publications to help Parliaments through the gender-sensitisation process:
- CWP Gender Sensitising Parliaments Guidelines: Standards and a Checklist for Parliamentary Change
- CWP Gender-Sensitising Parliaments: A Seven-Step Field Guide
The CWP network's gender-sensitising Parliaments work has been endorsed by Parliamentarians and gender experts across the Commonwealth.
After the launch of the Guidelines, CWP held seven regional roundtable discussions on gender sensitive Parliaments. At each roundtable, Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and experts were introduced to the Guidelines and discussed what actions are needed to make Parliaments more inclusive, representative institutions.
Interested in conducting a gender-sensitive review?
The CPA Headquarters Secretariat stands ready and willing to assist our member Parliaments in their gender sensitisation journey.
Should any Parliaments or Parliamentarians be interested in learning more or starting a gender sensitisation process, please do not hesitate to get in touch at programmes@cpahq.org.
