16/10/2026 European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
Women Speakers of Parliament attending a parliamentary summit in Rome have set out their ideas and pledges for advancing equality and creating a fairer society on a “digital wall” shared today on the Assembly’s website.
Thirteen women parliamentary leaders from across Europe – either leading their national legislatures or heading interparliamentary bodies – proposed a host of actions, policies and commitments, ranging from encouraging girls to take up leadership roles, to regulation of social media, to encouraging behaviour-change in society.
“My hope is that these contributions will become a collective statement of determination from women parliamentary leaders across Europe and beyond,” said President Bayr, who presented the idea at a working breakfast for women Speakers held during the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in the Italian capital. She invited the women leaders present to answer two questions:
How can we, as women leaders, strengthen our collective action to turn the current backlash against women's rights into a breakthrough for equality?
What concrete steps are you personally committed to taking in your parliament, political life and country to help create a fairer, more equal, inclusive and resilient society?
“This is not about making a declaration. It is about sharing experience, ideas and commitments,” said President Bayr. The ‘digital wall’, she said, would be a way of “encouraging the conversation to continue beyond this room”.