With UK Parliamentary travel suspended since March 2020 and all IPU meetings cancelled or being held virtually online, the COVID-19 global pandemic represents the most serious disruption to the work of BGIPU since the two World Wars of the 20th century. Over the last year, as the global pandemic spread to an estimated 120 million […]
Despite increases in the number of women at the highest levels of political power, widespread gender inequalities persist, according to the 2021 edition of the IPU-UN Women Map of Women in Politics. The IPU-UN Women Map presents new data for women in government and parliamentary positions as of 1 January 2021. The data shows all-time highs […]
On Tuesday 9th March, in association with the Women in Parliament APPG, BGIPU hosted an event to celebrate International Women’s Day. BGIPU Chair Harriett Baldwin MP moderated the esteemed panel which included academics Dr Jessica Smith and Professor Sarah Childs who were joined by Clerk Assistant, Sarah Davies, Chair of the Procedure Committee, The Rt […]
On 9th March, BGIPU co-hosted with Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) and the APPG for Future Generations, the UK parliamentary launch of ‘Assuring our Common Future: Parliamentary Handbook on Disarmament for Security and Sustainable Development’. The meeting was chaired by BGIPU Vice-Chair, Rt Hon Baroness D’Souza and presentations were provided by Lord Hannay […]
Following elections in 2020, the global proportion of women in parliament reached a record 25.5 per cent, representing an increase of 0.6 points compared with 2019, according to the IPU’s latest Women in Parliament report. The IPU has tracked women’s participation in parliament for decades, allowing it to measure progress and setbacks. Every year, the IPU […]
The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has renewed its calls to national authorities to bring to account those involved in the past abuse of members of parliament, including murder. Although some of the cases are more than 10 years old, the Committee has not set them aside until investigations have established the […]
On 17 and 18 February, the IPU and the United Nations brought together some 400 parliamentarians, as well as diplomats, representatives from civil society and experts for a virtual sitting of the Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations. This year’s theme, Fighting corruption to restore trust in government and improve development prospects, was designed to […]
This year’s IPU-UN Annual Parliamentary Hearing, entitled Fighting corruption to restore trust in government and improve development prospects, is designed to ensure a parliamentary contribution to the Political Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session against corruption (UNGASS 2021) which will be held from 17 to 18 February 2021. The hearing will be […]
To provide guidance in what can sometimes be a challenging and even dangerous space, the IPU has published a new Social Media Guide for Parliaments and Parliamentarians. The guide is designed as a practical tool on how to use social media in a safe and measured way while getting the maximum benefit from it. The IPU […]
Op-Ed by IPU President and Secretary General On 6 January 2021, the world watched in horror as a mob waged an outrageous assault on the US Capitol building. Congress was in session, performing the usually calm and orderly ritual of confirming the election results and certifying the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Democracy […]
