Generation Equality – Parliamentarians Dialogue Series Working together to advance women’s political participation and feminist decision-making

First meeting, on the occasion of the 149th IPU Assembly 

Geneva & online, Tuesday 15 October 2024

Salle Lausanne, CICG Annex

16:30–18:00 CEST

Registration link: here

16:30 –16:45 - Opening remarks (15 minutes)
• Ms. Farida Ilimi Haddouche, (MP from Algeria), First Vice-President of the IPU Bureau of Women
Parliamentarians
• Ms. Emilia Saiz, Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Co-chair of the
Generation Equality Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership (FML) - ONLINE
• Ms. Friederike Tschampa, Head of the Human Rights Section, European Union Delegation in
Geneva.

16:45 –17:15 - Common concern #1: Addressing sexism, harassment, violence, and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against women in public life (30 minutes)

Persistent barriers to women’s equal and effective participation in decision-making arise from deeply rooted and unequal power relations. These underpin discriminatory laws, policies and institutions, and feed widespread violence against women in the public sphere. IPU studies show that over 80% of women parliamentarians face some form of intimidation, harassment or violence during their term. Such acts aim to dissuade women from entering or pursuing politics, and undermine their visibility and influence while in office. Young women, women from minority groups, and women who are active in the defence of women’s rights – who are highly underrepresented – are at higher risk of being targeted by sexist behaviour and attacks.

Facilitation: Ms. Farida Ilimi Haddouche (opens the session, introduces the speakers, and moderates
the Q&A)

Setting the scene:

• Ms. Cristina Solano Díaz, Asamblea Nacional Política de Mujeres Indígenas (ANPMI) (3 min) -ONLINE

• Ms. Millie Odhiambo, MP Kenya, President of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (3 min)

• Ms. Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu, International IDEA, WYDE partner (3 min) - ONLINE

Open debate (20 min, 2 min per intervention alternating between FML/WYDE and MP)

Guiding questions:

➔ What are the key manifestations of sexism and violence against women in public life that you witness or experience – including from an intersectional lens?

➔ What means are used to address such violence?

➔ What common strategies can be put in place among MPs and other stakeholders/FML to create a more favourable political environment?

17:15 –17:45 - Common concern #2: Supporting young women’s participation in public life (30 minutes)

Strengthening women’s political empowerment requires intergenerational leadership and ascension of young women, building a pipeline of future leaders who are interested in public office. Young women and adolescent girls worldwide have been mobilizing and seeking to influence public debate in areas such as climate justice, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. They are at the forefront of feminist movements. Yet, they are especially underrepresented in politics, with women aged 30 years or less constituting only about 1.5% of parliamentarians globally.

Facilitator: Ms. Emilia Saiz (opens the session, introduces the speakers, and moderates the Q&A)

Setting the scene:

• Ms. Emma Muteka, MP from Namibia, Member of the Board of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians (3 min)

• Ms. Xenia Kellner, Young Feminist Europe, FML leader (3 min) - ONLINE

• Ms. Melissa Sarah Hamalambo, Non-Profit Leader/Democracy Advocate/Network Builder, WYDE /Youth Democracy Cohort (3 min) - ONLINE

Open debate (20 min, 2 min per intervention alternating between MP and FML/WYDE) 

Guiding questions:

➔ What are the key obstacles for young women’s and girls’ participation in public life that you are experiencing or witnessing?

➔ What strategies can advance women’s and girls’ participation in public life?

➔ What can we do collaboratively to increase the participation of young women in all their diversity in political decision-making?

17:45 –17:55 - Charting the way forward: Pursuing the conversation, working together (5 minutes)

Facilitators:

- Ms. Zeina Hilal, Manager of the Gender Partnership and Youth Participation Programmes, IPU

- Ms. Adina Wolf, Monitoring Specialist and Grants Manager, WYDE, UN Women

Open debate (6 min, 2 min per intervention alternating between FML/WYDE and MP)

Discussion questions:

➔ How can we deepen the work at the local, national, regional and international levels in promoting young women’s political participation and combatting violence against women in politics?

➔ What should be the modalities / topics for future engagement among feminist leaders from parliament, civil society and other sectors? Should they be done in this format? What other opportunities and settings could be used for such interactions?

Wrap-up by Ms. Zeina Hilal (1 min)

17:55 –18:00 - Closing & next steps

• Ms. Piyumi Samaraweera, CREA, Co-Chair of the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership (FML) - ONLINE

• Ms. Farida Ilimi Haddouche, (MP from Algeria), First Vice-President of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians