REPRESENTATION IN SMALL STATES
SMALL BRANCHES CONFERENCE: 3 - WOMEN’S
procedures and processes. But, the reality is that most Parliaments are not structured to be gender-sensitive, it was said. The Inter-Parliamentary Union
(IPU) defines a gender-sensitive Parliament as one which responds to the needs and interests of both men and women in its structures, operations, methods and work as a nation’s supreme legislative institution (IPU, 2008:61). To achieving gender parity, the institution has to implement changes to promote gender-neutral language and behaviour that is non-confrontational, introduce more family-friendly sitting hours and facilities such as childcare and parental leave for Parliamentarians and provide gender-sensitive training programmes. The rules of Parliament also
need to change to accommodate male and female MPs, and avoid restriction or discrimination against women. A more radical step may lead to changes in the structures of Parliaments by including a dedicated committee on gender equality such as a women’s caucus, or a specialized committee on gender equality, or by rotating positions between male and female MPs for the Chief Whip or committee Chair, and ensuring equal representation in technical committees normally reserved for male MPs. A number of Commonwealth
countries have institutionalized women parliamentary caucuses to advance the women’s agenda, advocate policy reforms and sensitize on gender mainstreaming. It is believed that increasing
numbers of women may be viewed as a threat to men’s traditional political power. Sensitization on gender equality and gender mainstreaming through an effective communication strategy is critical. Women leaders need to be proactive to defend their interests by creating awareness on gender equity and parity through media programmes, outreach, campaigns and educational programmes. Moreover, women leaders need to maintain communication with their
constituencies through various advocacy tools and social networks such as Twitter, Facebook. It becomes pertinent to work in collaboration with civil society, private/corporate sectors, UN agencies and male champions to effect change and support the efforts of women. Yet, quantitative representation
of women goes beyond numbers to include factors of qualitative leadership and effective participation of women at all levels of decision- making. Capacity-building for women in leadership positions and women aspiring to politics is crucial, by providing training and educational programmes for women considering running for political office. Mentorship, shadowing,
networking and exchanging experiences at the regional and international levels are critical for women’s empowerment. Good communication skills, media/public speaking and image messaging for women leaders are important to profile their capability to lead in decision-making. Apart from gaining insight and good understanding of parliamentary and legislative rules and procedures, women MPs should extend their training in governance issues to encompass specialized skills that will enable them to succeed in political office.
Diversify beyond gender-related issues
Understanding of gender issues by Parliamentarians and staff is required to address issues during the law- making process. It was said a critical mass of women in decision-making will favourably move the agenda of women’s concerns forward. However, women in office need to diversify their priorities to include technical matters such as economics, finance, employment, agriculture and foreign affairs and should not be seen to be representing only women’s issues or a women’s agenda. Women MPs need to represent non-gender concerns and gain access to traditionally male- dominated political arenas. With the limited number of
women Parliamentarians, women
MPs have encountered many obstacles and challenges in voicing women’s issues in the legislation, budgeting, staff management, and oversight processes. Women Parliamentarians should participate in government policy formulation and implementation, hold government office and execute government functions at all levels. They must liaise with donor organizations and non-government groups related to community life and state politics. Moreover, women MPs should remain united and should network with political parties’ women’s wings and other female MPs across party lines to resolve conflicts, build coalitions and reach consensus on similar issues that concern women’s political leadership and participation. To understand the obstacles
and challenges faced in introducing gender issues in the legislative, budgeting and monitoring processes, a series of focus group discussions involving MPs, expert staff of commissions, factions, experts and activist groups could be held regularly to obtain a portrait of challenges and obstacles faced and future recommendations to include gender issues in Parliament. Further, the formulation of laws and gender- responsive budgets can be discussed and articulated in such forums.
Action planning Other mechanisms/approaches to strengthen women’s participation in Parliaments which were suggested include:
• Creating a network of gender fo- cal points across other committees; • Working in partnership with na- tional women’s machinery, civil society, NGOs, the private sector and the media to ensure follow-up parliamen- tary action, review and oversight; • Monitoring the progress of gender mainstreaming across Parlia- ment; • Scrutinizing gender-related aspects of all government reporting, as well as the effectiveness of per- formance indicators used to monitor progress;
• Debating the content of Bills and ensuring gender considerations are taken into account; • Holding public hearings and consulting with policy communities to determine the effects of policies, pro- grammes and legislation on women and men, girls and boys; • Implementing measures aimed at ensuring gender equality in repre- sentation; • Establishing parliamentary committees on gender equality, com- posed of both men and women; • Making use of the tools of gender-budgeting analysis; • Ensuring gender is mainstreamed in all decisions and legislation; • Allocating sufficient resources for gender-related activities; • Institutionalizing gender-sensitive budgeting by raising gender issues during budget debates and develop- ing partnerships with the budget or public accounts committees; • Ensuring the implementation of CEDAW obligations and similar inter- national conventions/resolutions; • Adopting a programme of equal- ity or theme for every parliamentary term; • Creating gender focal points and gender as a cross-cutting issue ad- dressed in all committees; • Increasing visibility and knowl- edge of gender equality, and • Enhancing mentoring and sup- port for new Members.
Given Parliament’s pre-eminent
role is not only in legislating but also in legislative oversight, there is also a need to implement gender mainstreaming practices at the parliamentary level. Systematic efforts to reform institutional structures and practices should be sustained to ensure gender is mainstreamed across all areas of Parliament. Without the agreement of political parties, reform of Parliament is impossible. The reality is that policies on gender-mainstreaming are being implemented without the necessary changes to the parliamentary structures, hence the consensus and support of political parties is critical for effective change.
The Parliamentarian | 2012: Issue Four | 307
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