Skip to main content

Parliaments and Representatives

Democracy and the equal participation of men and women in the political arena are closely intertwined. No parliament or any decision-making body can claim to be representative without the participation of both men and women. As stated in the Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Member Parliaments in 1997, "The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences."

Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of women in parliament, though the world average of less than 22 percent remains far from the goal of parity between women and men. The election of women to the highest positions of state and government in several countries has also contributed to the changing face of politics.

While the road to election is a difficult one, the challenges for women do not stop there. Once women enter parliament or other bodies, they are faced with many new challenges. Parliament is traditionally a male-oriented domain where the rules and practices have been written by men. It is, therefore, an ongoing challenge to transform parliament into a gender-sensitive environment, to ensure that actions are gender-sensitive and to guarantee that gender is mainstreamed throughout the legislature.

Combating Trafficking in Persons: A Handbook for Parliamentarians

Back
March 9, 2010

Combating Trafficking in Persons: A Handbook for Parliamentarians

Jointly produced by the IPU and UNODC, the Handbook on Combating Trafficking in Persons is intended to encourage parliamentarians to take an active part in stopping human trafficking. It contains a compilation of international laws and good practices developed to combat human trafficking.

Print article

Jointly produced by the IPU and UNODC, the Handbook on Combating Trafficking in Persons is intended to encourage parliamentarians to take an active part in stopping human trafficking. It contains a compilation of international laws and good practices developed to combat human trafficking.

Empowering Parliaments through the Use of ICTs

Back
March 9, 2010

Empowering Parliaments through the Use of ICTs

The study, published by the United Nations Development Programme, has developed an analytical framework that focuses on the three core functions of Parliaments - legislation, representation and oversight - and establishes links between them.

Print article

The study, published by the United Nations Development Programme, has developed an analytical framework that focuses on the three core functions of Parliaments - legislation, representation and oversight - and establishes links between them.

Assessing Legislation - A manual for legislators

Back
March 9, 2010

Assessing Legislation - A manual for legislators

It aims at providing the legislators with the necessary tools that would help them in assessing legislations and proposing them to promote social and democratic change in their countries.

Print article

It aims at providing the legislators with the necessary tools that would help them in assessing legislations and proposing them to promote social and democratic change in their countries.

A Parliamentarians’ Handbook on the Small Arms Issue

Back
March 9, 2010

A Parliamentarians’ Handbook on the Small Arms Issue

In a landmark step, parliamentarians from countries in Central, East and the Horn of Africa, gathering at a conference organised by UNDP and AWEPA on 26-28 November 2003, reached an agreement on a Plan of Action for parliamentarians, aimed at reducing the illicit distribution of small arms and li

Print article

In a landmark step, parliamentarians from countries in Central, East and the Horn of Africa, gathering at a conference organised by UNDP and AWEPA on 26-28 November 2003, reached an agreement on a Plan of Action for parliamentarians, aimed at reducing the illicit distribution of small arms and li

e-Discussions

Forum of African and Spanish Women Parliamentarians

Submitted by Diane on
Back

Forum of African and Spanish Women Parliamentarians

FORUM OF AFRICAN AND SPANISH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS In fulfilment of Commitment Three in the Declaration from the Third Meeting of African and Spanish Women for a Better World in Niamey in May 2008 resolving “as part of the Fourth Meeting of Women for a Better World to constitute an Annual Forum of African and Spanish Parliamentarians to promote new regulations and legislation aimed at abolishing abusive practices which violate women’s rights”, the Government of Spain will hold the first meeting of African and Spanish women parliamentarians in Madrid on 5 and 6 November 2009.

Print article

FORUM OF AFRICAN AND SPANISH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS In fulfilment of Commitment Three in the Declaration from the Third Meeting of African and Spanish Women for a Better World in Niamey in May 2008 resolving “as part of the Fourth Meeting of Women for a Better World to constitute an Annual Forum of African and Spanish Parliamentarians to promote new regulations and legislation aimed at abolishing abusive practices which violate women’s rights”, the Government of Spain will hold the first meeting of African and Spanish women parliamentarians in Madrid on 5 and 6 November 2009.

Event

Event

Women in Parliament: Strengthening Democracy around the World

Back
June 23, 2009

Women in Parliament: Strengthening Democracy around the World

This paper describes the situation of women in parliaments around the world with specific references to Australia, Indonesia, Sweden, and Pacific and African countries. It also provides recommendations to women leaders on how to enter politics and succeed in it.

Print article

This paper describes the situation of women in parliaments around the world with specific references to Australia, Indonesia, Sweden, and Pacific and African countries. It also provides recommendations to women leaders on how to enter politics and succeed in it.

Subscribe to Parliaments and Representatives