COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS NEWS CWP IN FIJI AIM TO MENTOR ASPIRING WOMEN LEADERS The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Fiji Group held a workshop for aspiring women leaders in Suva, Nadi and Labasa. Women Members of Parliament came together under the CWP Fiji Group to work together towards parliamentary democracy and to empower women in Fiji. This was the first ever workshop organised by the CWP Fiji Group to target women who may be interested or intend to participate in the political arena as well as those actively planning to run for election to Parliament. The workshop was made possible through the support of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians network as well as the Tai A Kiwa Programme at the Parliament of New Zealand.
BELIZE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ESTABLISHES WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS CAUCUS
CWP BIM REGION LAUNCHES NEW REPORT ASSESSING EQUALITY AND INCLUSION THE REGION’S PARLIAMENTS
COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS IN THE UK LAUNCH NEW GUIDE TO EQUIP WOMEN MPs IN MANAGING ONLINE AND OFFLINE ABUSE
The CWP British Islands and Mediterranean Region launched a new report addressing equality of participation and representation within the region's Parliaments. The report documents the current state of play regarding gender-sensitive practices in institutions across the region, particularly in light of responses to COVID-19. The report’s author, Dr Jessica C. Smith (University of Southampton) mapped out institutional governance with regard to equality of participation and women’s representation in leadership positions. The report draws on the 2020 Gender Sensitising Parliaments Checklist published by the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network to make short- and medium-term recommendations about best practice going forward.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day 2022, the Commonwealth Wo m e n Parliamentarians in the CPA UK Branch published a new guide for women MPs on managing online and offline abuse. Research has demonstrated that women Parliamentarians are disproportionately targeted by violent means of stifling their political participation, and disproportionately suffer the consequences as a result. From online harassment and misogyny to physical violence on the campaign trail, women Parliamentarians across the Commonwealth are often at risk while simply doing their jobs. This new guide is part of a project funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the CPA UK Branch to strengthen democracy, oversight and sustainability in the Commonwealth. To download a copy please visit www.uk-cpa.org. The Parliamentarian | 2022: Issue Two | 100 years of publishing | 157
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Women Parliamentarians in the National Assembly of Belize have agreed to the establishment of a new Women Parliamentarians Caucus. The proposal received overwhelming support by women Parliamentarians of both the House of Representatives and the Senate who committed to establishing a formal structure of the caucus as well as engaging with the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians network and with ParlAmericas for technical assistance and expertise. Many Commonwealth Parliaments feature a Women Parliamentarians Caucus as a space for women Parliamentarians from different political parties to unite in solidarity in championing and promoting women empowerment, advocating for policy and legislative priorities for women, strengthening women's voices in Parliaments, encouraging gender perspectives in the day-to-day operations of the Parliament, and raising awareness of the importance of gender equality and inclusion. The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize and the CWP Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Valerie Woods stated: "Given the fact that this is the first time we have so many women in Parliament, it is timely that Belize considers this establishment as has occurred in other Parliaments in our region. There are common objectives, despite differences in political affiliations or views, that a multipartisan, bi-cameral caucus can rally around and support. While the establishment of such caucuses is almost often led by women, it does not exclude the engagement of the men in Parliament. On the contrary, the support by male colleagues in Parliament is critical to address gender equality issues." In November 2021, a team from the CPA Headquarters Secretariat visited Belize to provide technical assistance for parliamentary strengthening including the facilitation of a one-day workshop with Women Parliamentarians of the National Assembly of Belize and key civil society stakeholders.