IPU Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians calls for gender parity in parliament
The IPU concluded its Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians, held on 14 and 15 March 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico, emphasizing the urgent need for gender parity in parliaments worldwide.
The Conference, attended by some 380 parliamentarians from 56 countries, as well as representatives from the Government of Mexico, international organizations and civil society, highlighted successful measures and strategies to advance gender parity.
Key outcomes included:
-Parity in numbers: The Conference underscored the importance of achieving a 50:50 balance between women and men in parliament, with a focus on diversity across age groups and other demographics.
-Parity in influence and power: Participants emphasized the need for equal opportunities for women in leadership roles and committee assignments to ensure they have equal influence in policymaking.
-Parity culture: The Conference called for the creation of a gender-sensitive parliamentary environment, free from sexism, harassment and violence, to ensure women can fully participate in parliamentary work.
The Conference proposed a comprehensive plan of action, urging parliaments to adopt measures such as gender quotas, equal campaign resources, and zero-tolerance policies on sexism and harassment. The IPU will promote this plan widely to inspire action for gender parity in parliaments globally.
Quotes:
Opening the Conference, President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum said: “As women parliamentarians and as women participating in public life, I urge you to make this call for equality and parity a general call against classism, racism, sexism, and any form of discrimination. From here, we tell the world that it’s time for women; from here, we celebrate this effort to promote equal political participation for women everywhere. We are women building peace, equality and universal fraternity.”
IPU President, Tulia Ackson, said: “Parity is not just about numbers. It is about power, perspective and the ability to craft policies that reflect the realities of all citizens irrespective of their gender, background, religion or other status. But parity, in its truest sense, cannot exist in isolation. It requires institutions that are gender-sensitive and spaces that are structured to enable full and equal participation.”
President of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, Cynthia López Castro, said: “There will be a before and an after the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians. We’re excited to share a plan of action that reflects a parliamentary perspective on the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s recommendation on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems. This plan is inspired by what has worked well in parliaments and tackling the challenges head-on.”
IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong said: “I have seen what inequality means for lost opportunities: when a women is denied education, when a leader is silenced because of her gender, when entire communities operate under unspeakable truths that no one dares to bring to light, let alone solve, like violence, and everything it brings to one’s life. I call upon every man in this room and beyond – do not wait to be invited to the fight for gender equality – step into it with resolve.”
On behalf of the UK Parliament, BGIPU was represented by Rt Hon Dame Karen Bradley DBE MP, Baroness Hooper and Dan Carden MP who is also the President of the Board of Young Parliamentarians in the IPU.
Mexico President, Claudia Sheinbaum and IPU President, Tulia Ackson © Senate of Mexico
Parliamentarians from across the globe have gathered in Mexico City for the First IPU Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians
BGIPU was represented by Dame Karen Bradley MP, Baroness Hooper and Dan Carden MP
