One Size Does Not Fit All: Lessons Learned from Legislative Gender Commissions and Caucuses

4,097
This publication is only available in electronic format
Published: 
1 July 2010
Language: 
English
Pages: 
46
ISBN: 
978-91-85724-97-0 (Print)
Author(s): 
Keila Gonzalez, Kristen Sample
Co-Publisher(s): 
National Democratic Institute
Available Languages:

Worldwide, women represent 50 per cent of the population. However, in the political sphere, the presence of women political leaders, party leaders, candidates and elected representatives is not proportional to this percentage.

In the case of Latin America, for instance, women represent only 20 per cent of lower chambers or unicameral congresses in the region. In response to this problem, parliaments in this and other regions in the world have created gender commissions and caucuses that seek to address women's needs and interests.

Aware that the equal participation of women in government and politics is essential in building and sustaining democracy, the NDI and International IDEA have created a guide on the experiences of gender commissions and caucuses.

This guide seeks to provide information to gender commissions and caucuses and to serve as a tool to help men and women legislators in different countries to exercise good practices in organizing and developing joint efforts that promote an agenda for gender equality.

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Women working together in parliament: forms of organization  

2. Best practices: ideas for gender work across party lines  

Conclusions

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix

About NDI

About International IDEA

Related Content

Mar
20
2023

Group picture for Raedat members and International IDEA after the conclusion of the workshop in Tunis, Tunisia. Photo: International IDEA 

Feature Story
Mar
07
2023
A number of women in a workshop

Réseau des Femmes Parlementaires du Niger meeting with women's caucuses and parliamentary gender equality bodies from around the world

News Article
Mar
07
2023

Image credit: The Myanmar Photo Collective, Visualrebellion.org

News Article