Enhancing participation of women from under-represented groups in political and public decision making
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly
debate on 23 June 2021 (20th sitting) (see Doc. 15301, report of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination,
rapporteur: Ms Eglantina Gjermeni). Text
adopted by the Assembly on 23 June 2021 (20th sitting).
1. In recent decades, significant
progress has been made with regard to the participation of women
in political and public decision making in Europe. Women have reached
high positions of power and several European countries are close
to parity in their parliaments.
2. This progress has nevertheless been too slow and uneven. In
addition, there is still a lack of participation and representation
in political and public decision making of women with disabilities;
young women; lesbian, bisexual, trans or intersex (LBTI) women;
Roma women; women of colour; women with an immigration background;
women belonging to minorities and indigenous women; women from rural
areas; and women with a lower socio-economic background.
3. The Parliamentary Assembly is concerned about the numerous
obstacles still faced by women that impede their active participation
in political and public decision making. These obstacles have been exacerbated
during the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular for women from under-represented
groups. Their participation is limited by the weight of prejudice
and stereotypes, the risk of violence, the lack of consideration for
their skills and expertise, unequal sharing of care responsibilities,
social norms, high levels of discrimination, barriers within political
parties, the lack of targeted measures and a lack of accessibility
in general. Profound structural changes are needed to tackle these
challenges and enhance the participation of women from under-represented
groups in political and public decision making at all levels.
4. The study “Sexism, harassment and violence against women in
parliaments in Europe”, carried out in 2018 by the Inter-Parliamentary
Union (IPU) and the Assembly, demonstrated that violence against
women was widespread in the world of politics. Hate speech and online
harassment attacking women in politics or public life hinder women’s
engagement in politics, in particular women from under-represented
groups, who face disproportionately higher levels of violence and
may choose not to participate for fear of being specifically targeted.
The Assembly reiterates its determination to combat violence against
women in politics, referring to its
Resolution 2274 (2019) “Promoting
parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment” and the #NotInMyParliament
initiative led by the former President of the Assembly, Liliane
Maury Pasquier. Enhancing political participation is closely linked
to preventing and combating violence against women and no efforts should
be spared to this end.
5. The Assembly recalls its
Resolution 2222 (2018) “Promoting
diversity and equality in politics”. Concrete recommendations to
enhance the participation of persons with disabilities were formulated
in its
Resolution 2155
(2017) “The political rights of persons with disabilities:
a democratic issue”. Political systems and structures should be
made more open, inclusive and attractive to persons from various
backgrounds. An intersectional approach to decision making as well
as targeted measures can contribute to the goal of leaving no one
behind. The participation of women and girls, in all their diversity,
in political and public decision making will send a powerful message
of recognition of the importance of inclusive societies, increase representativeness
and strengthen the legitimacy and relevance of decisions.
6. Enhancing participation of women from under-represented groups
in political and public decision making requires action at several
levels. Society at large and political parties need to make space
for women’s active participation and engagement. The Assembly underlines
that men also have an important role to play in this respect by
combating violence and discrimination against women in politics
and speaking out against gender-based stereotypes and sexism. Men
can be allies and actively engage in promoting equality and participation of
women in leadership positions. A profound change in both mindsets
and political culture is essential to ensure that political and
public decision making will be more inclusive and accessible for
persons from various backgrounds.
7. The Assembly welcomes the visibility given at the global level
in 2021 to the importance of increasing participation of women from
under-represented groups in decision making, including leadership
– for instance, women’s political participation was the theme chosen
for the United Nations (UN) 65th Session of the Commission on the
Status of Women (15-26 March 2021). It also looks forward to the
2021 UN Generation Equality Forum. Supporting the participation
of women from under-represented groups in political and public decision
making is an accelerator for sustainable development and peace and
contributes to the UN’s Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.
Addressing the over-representation of men and the under-representation of
women is important for making democracies more legitimate and accountable.
8. In the light of these considerations, the Assembly calls on
Council of Europe member States, observers and partners for democracy:
8.1 with regard to preventing and
combating gender-based stereotypes, sexism, discrimination and violence
against women, to:
8.1.1 sign and ratify, if it is not
yet the case, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and
Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (CETS No. 210),
and accelerate implementation in those States which are parties;
8.1.2 introduce measures to implement Assembly
Resolution 2274 (2019) “Promoting parliaments
free of sexism and sexual harassment” and Assembly
Resolution 2290 (2019) “Towards
an ambitious Council of Europe agenda for gender equality”;
8.1.3 work towards the implementation of the Council of Europe
Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023 and raise public awareness of
the added value of an inclusive political environment;
8.1.4 implement without further delay Committee of Ministers
Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)1 on preventing and combating sexism;
8.1.5 ensure that all public institutions apply zero-tolerance
policies in regard to violence, discrimination and abuse, including
through ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190);
8.1.6 promote inclusive education with the aim of preventing
and combating gender-based stereotypes and sexism from an early
age;
8.1.7 repeal discriminatory legislation against all under-represented
groups, as this hinders their participation in political and public
decision making;
8.1.8 create safe and enabling environments for participation
by introducing measures to prevent and combat all forms of discrimination,
racist and sexist hate speech and violence against women in politics,
and allocate sufficient resources to this end;
8.1.9 encourage the participation of women in the world of politics
and the labour market by ensuring the provision of affordable childcare
and adopting measures in favour of a better balance between private
and professional life;
8.2 with regard to access to political and public decision
making and promoting the participation of women from under-represented
groups, to:
8.2.2 implement Committee of Ministers Recommendation Rec(2003)3
on balanced participation of women and men in political and public
decision making;
8.2.3 collect disaggregated data and support research on the
participation of women from under-represented groups in political
and public decision making, and analyse the composition of parliaments
at national and regional levels with an intersectional perspective;
8.2.4 introduce legislation and policies to implement Assembly
Resolution 2155 (2017) “The political
rights of persons with disabilities: a democratic issue” and make
the accessibility of electoral processes, information and procedures
a priority;
8.2.5 sign and ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection
of National Minorities (ETS No. 157) and the Convention on the Participation
of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level (ETS No. 144), if this
is not yet the case;
8.2.6 work towards the implementation of the Council of Europe
Strategic Action Plan for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2020-2025);
8.2.7 cap the financing of electoral campaigns to enable broader
participation and ensure equal access to funds;
8.2.8 assess the needs of women from under-represented groups
who are willing to participate in political and public life, in
order to provide adequate support, including for women experiencing
multiple and intersectional discrimination;
8.2.9 set up and fund leadership and mentorship programmes for
women from under-represented groups;
8.2.10 promote the creation of women’s networks or caucuses in
national parliaments, as well as youth-led parliaments;
8.2.11 provide financial support to non-governmental organisations
working on the promotion of gender equality, inclusion and the participation
of women from under-represented groups in political and public decision
making;
8.2.12 foster and sustain civic space and engagement for women’s
rights organisations to hold decision makers to account on gender
equality concerns;
8.2.13 engage with the media to promote role models from under-represented
groups and combat gender stereotypes and sexism;
8.2.14 ensure fair, non-stereotypical and equal media coverage
of candidates and politicians, irrespective of their gender.
9. The Assembly encourages political parties to:
9.1 actively promote the participation
of women from under-represented groups in their internal structures,
including at leadership levels, and consider the introduction of
voluntary quotas;
9.2 set up rules for the selection of candidates for elections
at local, regional and national levels to ensure that gender equality
and diversity are actively promoted;
9.3 analyse their internal composition and discuss how to
increase participation of women and men from diverse backgrounds,
and their representation;
9.4 use a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach in
supporting candidates for election;
9.5 sign the Council of Europe “Pledge on political representation
of Roma and Traveller women” and take concrete steps for its implementation;
9.6 organise training on inclusiveness, intersectionality
and gender equality for all their members, irrespective of their
gender, and ensure their accessibility;
9.7 organise specific capacity- and confidence-building training
in accessible formats for persons from under-represented groups,
to enhance their political skills;
9.8 work to increase the visibility of role models from political
and public life, including in the media.
