Dimension: 7.2.2 Representation of women

How to complete this assessment

This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based. 

The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:

• The numbers of women and men holding seats in parliament, both currently and in the recent past, and a gender breakdown of leadership positions in parliament
• Provisions of the constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework highlighting the importance of women’s equal political participation 
• Provisions of electoral or other laws that aim to promote gender balance, such as gender quotas in parliament 
• Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. reports indicating recommendations for the amendment and/or review of legislation with a view to enhancing the political participation of women
• Laws and policies addressing violence against women in politics

Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.

Sources and further reading

• European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), Gender equality in national parliaments across the EU and the European Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. (2019).
• Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Gender-Sensitive Parliaments: A Global Review of Good Practice (2011).
• IPU, Guidelines for Women’s Caucuses (2013).
• IPU, The freedom of women to participate in political processes fully, safely and without interference: Building partnerships between men and women to achieve this objective, resolution adopted unanimously by the 135th IPU Assembly Assembly See:  Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. . (2016).
• IPU, Women in parliament in 2022: The year in review (2023).
• IPU and Committee Committee See:  Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee Committee See:  Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . ), “Joint Call by IPU and CEDAW Committee Committee See:  Parliamentary committee Parliamentary committee A body comprised of MPs who are appointed, on either a temporary or a permanent basis, to debate or closely examine matters closely related to specific policies, issues or circumstances, in line with the committee’s scope of work. The theme, structure and nature of parliamentary committees are established by a chamber’s rules of procedure. Depending on the these rules, the composition of a committee may reflect that of the whole parliament or include diverse party representation. In some parliaments, the term “commission” is used instead of, or interchangeably with, “committee”. . on International Women's Day 2021” (2021).
• International Institute for Democracy Democracy The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is held either by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves. Also, a basic right of citizenship to be exercised under conditions of freedom, equality, transparency and responsibility, with due respect for the plurality of views, and in the interest of the polity. and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), IPU and Stockholm University, Atlas of electoral gender quotas (2013).
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Guidance Note: Strategies and good practices in promoting gender equality outcomes in parliaments (2016).
• United Nations, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (1979).

Get help with this assessment

The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators. 

Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.

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