Promoting women’s participation in Parliamentary Assembly election observation missions

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 16437 | 23 June 2026

Signatories:

Ms Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia, SOC ; Baroness Lyn BROWN, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER, Austria, EPP/CD ; Ms Irena FERČIKOVÁ KONEČNÁ, Czechia, SOC ; Ms Aurora FLORIDIA, Italy, SOC ; Mr Martynas GEDVILAS, Lithuania, SOC ; Ms Gökçe GÖKÇEN, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Hripsime GRIGORYAN, Armenia, SOC ; Ms Tuula HAATAINEN, Finland, SOC ; Ms Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands, SOC ; Ms Iris LUARASI, Albania, SOC ; Ms Ogerta MANASTIRLIU, Albania, SOC ; Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain, SOC ; Ms Anna-Kristiina MIKKONEN, Finland, SOC ; Mr Fabian MOLINA, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Wanda NOWICKA, Poland, SOC ; Ms Lucia PLAVÁKOVÁ, Slovak Republic, ALDE ; Ms Filiz POLAT, Germany, SOC ; Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER, Austria, SOC ; Ms Azadeh ROJHAN, Sweden, SOC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

There can be no genuine democracy without full and equal enjoyment of rights by women in all their diversity. Promoting women's participation in election observation missions (EOMs) is essential for strengthening democratic processes and inclusive representation. Within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, increasing the involvement of women in EOMs contributes to greater credibility.

The Assembly consistently emphasises that gender equality is a fundamental democratic principle. Encouraging women parliamentarians to participate in EOMs demonstrates the Assembly’s commitment to equal opportunities and balanced representation. It challenges traditional gender stereotypes and promotes women's leadership in political and public life.

The Assembly should introduce mechanisms to include more women in leading the EOMs, enable women to be part of EOMs and take them into account in decision-making processes.

Between 2023 and 2025, 33 EOMs were carried out, yet only three were led by women – just one per year. This means that female representation at head of delegation level remains disproportionately low.

The Assembly should take a strong stance on women as heads of electoral missions. The Assembly should also take into consideration the gender balance in the leadership of EOMs. Efforts should be made to have interchangeability in appointing heads of delegation, every other mission to be led by a woman, and a woman to be appointed as vice-chair when a man is appointed as head of delegation.

The Assembly should strive to ensure that the election observation delegations are composed of at least 40% women, moving towards parity, while considering the practical circumstances of each mission. Where the balance cannot be achieved, the reasons should be clearly explained and efforts should be made to improve gender balance in future delegations.