CPA Parliamentary Academy
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

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 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

Find out more about the publications and download a copy below.

CWP Gender-Sensitising Parliaments Resources

CWP Gender-Sensitising Parliaments: A Seven-Step Field Guide

This Field Guide complements the 'CWP Gender Sensitising Parliaments Guidelines', providing a blueprint for Parliaments interested in undertaking a gender sensitive review and making their institution more inclusive and representative.

CWP Gender Sensitising Parliaments Guidelines: Standards and a Checklist for Parliamentary Change

These guidelines have been created to help Commonwealth Parliaments to become gender sensitive institutions, providing legislatures with an outline of gender sensitising standards that they can look to achieve. 

CWP Gender Mainstreaming Leaflet

This information sheet explains gender mainstreaming and approaches to practical application within Parliamentary institutions. 

The CWP network's gender-sensitising Parliaments work has been endorsed by women 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. 

Download the first CWP Gender-Sensitive Parliaments Self Assessment Report

CWP Gender-Sensitive Parliaments Self-Assessment Report ACT

The Legislative Assembly of the Australian Capital Territory was the first CPA Branch to undertake a CWP Gender Sensitive Parliament Self-Assessment. The report shares the final outcomes and recommendations.

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 hq.sec@cpahq.org.

CWP News

Caribbean workshop on gender responsive Parliaments
News

Caribbean workshop on gender responsive Parliaments

CWP network holds joint Caribbean workshop with ParlAmericas and UN Women on making parliaments responsive to the needs of women and men

Promoting inclusive leadership for Parliaments at 8th CWP Conference
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Promoting inclusive leadership for Parliaments at 8th CWP Conference

Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians aim to assist more women into leadership roles in Parliaments at 8th CWP Conference in New South Wales

Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and experts discuss inclusive leadership at CHOGM2024 in Samoa
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Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and experts discuss inclusive leadership at CHOGM2024 in Samoa

On day 3 of the CHOGM 2024 in Samoa, the CPA held a panel on diversity in politics with Members of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network.

Commonwealth Parliamentarians examine responses to gender-based violence and ensuring gender justice
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Commonwealth Parliamentarians examine responses to gender-based violence and ensuring gender justice

Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Workshop held in partnership with the National Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja from 20 to 22 August 2024.

CWP network releases new 2024 data on Women in Parliaments
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CWP network releases new 2024 data on Women in Parliaments

For the first time, the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians network has released data on the numbers of Women Parliamentarians in Legislatures.

CWP Chair highlights gender-sensitive Parliaments at 68th CSW
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CWP Chair highlights gender-sensitive Parliaments at 68th CSW

The 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) took place in New York with delegates from all over the world.

CWP Equality Champions Workshop in Tanzania promotes equal representation in Commonwealth Parliaments
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CWP Equality Champions Workshop in Tanzania promotes equal representation in Commonwealth Parliaments

Hosted by the Parliament of Tanzania and the CPA Africa Region, the workshop was designed to equip male and female Members of Parliament with skills and resources to take action on gender equality.

Botswana undertakes first ever joint CPA Benchmarks and Gender Sensitive Parliament (GSP) self-assessment
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Botswana undertakes first ever joint CPA Benchmarks and Gender Sensitive Parliament (GSP) self-assessment

A delegation from the CPA Headquarters visited Gaborone from 20 to 24 November to support the first ever joint self-assessment undertaken by a Parliament.