Young and experienced MPs join forces for gender equality at Peru conference
Young and more seasoned parliamentarians from around the world, gathered in Lima for the IPU’s 11th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, have called for urgent action to advance the representation of women in political life, especially young women.
Hosted by Peru’s Congress of the Republic from 11 to 12 September 2025, the Conference was opened by President Dina Boluarte and Prime Minister Eduardo Arana Ysa, who reaffirmed the country’s dedication to advancing gender equality at home and on the global stage.
The theme Uniting generations for gender equality, the Conference was chosen to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the global blueprint for gender equality and women’s rights.
While significant strides in women’s political representation have been made – IPU data shows that the percentage of parliamentary seats held by women has almost tripled since 1995 from 11.3% to 27.2% today – recently progress has stalled, with only a 0.3 percentage point increase in 2024, the slowest rate since 2017.
The Conference also highlighted the underrepresentation of youth, and young women in particular. Young women aged 30 and under comprise only 1.4% of the world’s MPs, despite making up about 25% of the world’s population, a democratic deficit that risks undermining the legitimacy and effectiveness of parliaments.
Traditionally reserved for parliamentarians under 40, this year’s Conference invited more experienced MPs to join their younger colleagues in a spirit of intergenerational dialogue. Notably, for the first time, gender parity was achieved at the Conference, with equal numbers of male and female MPs attending, reflecting the IPU’s commitment to lead by example.
Coming on the eve of the International Day of Democracy on 15 September, which was initiated by the IPU in 2007, the Conference concluded with a declaration pledging unified action to “turn the tide” and safeguard democracy through full gender equality. Key priorities outlined include expanding mentorship programmes, institutionalizing parity in leadership roles, and strengthening partnerships with community organizations.
BGIPU was represented in Lima by former President of the IPU Board of Young Parliamentarians, Dan Carden MP and Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge accompanied by Rhiannon Edwards of the BGIPU Secretariat.
BGIPU was represented in Lima by former President of the IPU Board of Young Parliamentarians, Dan Carden MP and Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge
Dan Carden MP spoke on an panel of IPU data on youth participation
Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge addressed the conference on legislating against "deep fakes" and other forms of misinformation.
A delegate at the 11th IPU Global Conference of Young MPs, © Congress of the Republic
