In paragraph 8.1 replace the words “Each national delegation shall include members of the under-represented sex [footnote 1] to ensure at least the following gender representation” with the following words:
“The composition of each national delegation shall include both women and men. Delegations with two seats (4 members) shall include at least one woman as a representative. The composition of each national delegation with three seats (6 members) or more shall include at least the same percentage of women as in the composition of the national parliament appointing the delegation, unless this national parliament is composed of more than two-thirds of members of one sex. In the latter case, the following rules shall apply”.
Explanatory note
This reinstates the requirement that delegations reflect the composition of their national parliaments, where it is more balanced than one-in-three. Promoting equal gender representation within the Assembly, which this report is intended to support, will not be possible if delegations appointed by gender-balanced parliaments are subject only to the “one-in-three” principle.
In paragraph 8.1, replace, everywhere they appear, the words “shall have a minimum of [N1] members of the under-represented sex, including [N2] representative(s) of the under-represented sex” with the following words:
“shall have a minimum of [N1] women and [N1] men, including at least [N2] woman(women) and [N2] man(men) as representatives”.
The numbers [N1] and [N2] shall be the same as the numbers in the respective sub-paragraphs of paragraph 8.1 of the draft resolution.
Explanatory note
All numbers remain unchanged as compared with paragraph 8.1 of the draft resolution. However, the wording is simplified to avoid the term “the under-represented sex”.
After paragraph 8.2, insert the following paragraph:
“Delete the second sentence of Rule 7.2 and insert a new paragraph after Rule 7.2 as follows:
“Credentials challenged because they do not respect the criteria set out in Rule 6.2.b shall not be ratified. By derogation from Rule 10.1 of the Rules of Procedure, the Assembly decides not to ratify the credentials of the delegation concerned until its composition has been brought into conformity with Rule 6.2.b of the Rules of Procedure.”
Explanatory note
Delegations that do not respect the rules on gender representation should not be able to participate in the Assembly’s work. The Assembly should however give them an opportunity to align their composition with the Rules of Procedure. The procedure regarding credentials challenged on other grounds remains unchanged.
In paragraph 8.3, replace the words “A delegation may propose a member of the over-represented sex only if it includes at least 40% of the under-represented sex” with the following words:
“A delegation that does not include at least 40% women and 40% men shall propose a candidate of a sex that does not represent more than 60% of the membership of the Assembly.”
Explanatory note
The wording has the same effect as the current text. However, the terms “over-” and “under-represented sex”, which are impossible to define, are avoided. Gender-balanced delegations are free to choose their candidate to be vice-president. Those that are not gender-balanced must present a candidate of a gender that does not represent more than 60% of the membership of the Assembly.
After paragraph 9.1, insert the following paragraph:
“establish the principle that, when proposing members of ad hoc committees, their gender breakdown is no less balanced than the composition of the group proposing them or, if this is more favourable to the promotion of gender equality, according to the “one in three” principle;”.
Explanatory note
This paragraph complements paragraph 10.2 of the draft resolution, which requires the Bureau to include at least one-third women and one-third men in all ad hoc committees. Political groups should play their part by ensuring they also respect this rule when proposing members of ad hoc committees.
Replace paragraph 9.2 with the following paragraph:
“when appointing group spokespersons in Assembly debates, ensure that their gender breakdown is no less balanced than the composition of the group that appoints them or, if this is more favourable to the promotion of gender equality, follow the "one in three" principle;”.
Explanatory note
The gender breakdown in political groups in the Assembly depends on the composition of national delegations. Gender balance in the latter will however improve when the new rules are implemented. It is therefore reasonable to expect political groups to take stronger measures to promote gender equality in debates than those currently envisaged.
In paragraph 10.1, replace, each time they appear, the words “at least 33% of members of the under-represented sex” with the following words:
“at least one-third women and one-third men”.
Explanatory note
This corresponds to exactly the same requirement as is specified in existing text of this paragraph, but avoids reasoning in terms of an “under-represented sex”.
In paragraph 10.2, replace the words “at least 33% of members of the under-represented sex” with the following words:
“at least one-third women and one-third men”.
Explanatory note
Same as for amendment G.
In paragraph 10.3, replace the words “at least 33% of members of the under-represented sex” with the following words:
“at least one-third women and one-third men”.
Explanatory note
Same as for amendment G.
After paragraph 11, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly invites the Bureau to report to it at least once annually on the implementation of the above measures, including on efforts to promote gender mainstreaming and change parliamentary culture on gender equality in the Assembly’s work more generally, and to publish this report. In addition, it invites the Bureau to draw up guidelines for committees regarding the promotion of gender balance in their work. These guidelines should aim, inter alia, to ensure that committees pay due attention to gender balance amongst external interlocutors invited to participate in their work and in the appointment of representatives to external events. Committees should also be required to report at least once annually to the Bureau on the implementation of these guidelines and on their efforts to promote gender mainstreaming in their work.”
Explanatory note
There is considerable scope for strengthening gender mainstreaming in the work of the Assembly and its committees. This amendment aims to increase transparency and accountability in this field and to promote a more inclusive approach in committees’ work on substance.
After paragraph 11, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly underlines that progress towards gender equality in parliamentary structures will be hampered if due attention is not paid to the need to eliminate sexism and sexual harassment within these structures. It recalls the crucial recommendations made in its Resolution 2274 “Promoting parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment”, and instructs the Bureau to report to it by January 2022 on the steps taken to implement this Resolution within the Assembly.”
In paragraph 13, replace the words “better representation of the under-represented gender” with the following words:
“more balanced representation of women and men”.
Explanatory note
For consistency.
8.1. with regard to the composition of national delegations, in Rule 6.2.a, delete the second sentence and add the following new paragraph [new Rule 6.2.b]:
“The composition of each national delegation shall include both women and men. Delegations with two seats (4 members) shall include at least one woman as a representative. The composition of each national delegation with three seats (6 members) or more shall include at least the same percentage of women as in the composition of the national parliament appointing the delegation, unless this national parliament is composed of more than two-thirds of members of one sex. In the latter case, the following rules shall apply:
[footnote: “Pursuant to Resolutions 1113 (1997) and 1376 (2004), the delegation of Cyprus can only fill 4 of the 6 seats to which it is entitled; it should be considered as a four-member delegation”]