ADAPTION, ENGAGEMENT, AND EVOLUTION OF PARLIAMENTS IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING COMMONWEALTH
“This workshop session focused on the ways in which Parliaments can effectively combat bullying and harassment in the workplace. It explored practical strategies that can be implemented to prevent sexual harassment and bullying with in Parliaments, which has become common culture and normalised behaviour.”
She outlined identified ways of dealing with sexual harassment including; socio-psycho support, counselling and confiding in a mentor with parliamentary experience. All four recommendations were endorsed by the workshop as follows: • Respectful language, upholding dignity of people, is fundamental to enhancing the quality of experience for all. Prevention and action
on sexual harassment complaints is imperative. • All Parliaments adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment, with robust procedures which take complaints seriously, crucially including awareness-raising about what is unacceptable. • Parliaments should support women MPs and provide confidential counselling services, foster mentoring
through programmes such as the CWP Alumni Initiative and support women’s caucuses. • In order to create and sustain gender sensitive cultures within Parliaments, to combat discrimination and sexual harassment we need to support more women into elected Parliamentary positions at all levels.
The Parliamentarian | 2019: Issue Four | 100th year of publishing | 305
