Capacity building and
training for men and women parliamentarians can contribute to institutional strengthening and lead to a greater engagement with gender
equality in parliamentary work. “Once elected, women and men legislators need
support, training and advice in navigating the institution of parliament.
Training should be provided in the core responsibilities of legislators: constituent
relations, legislative duties, and executive oversight, including consideration
of national budgets.”
Training programs can specifically address the issue
of gender equality, raising awareness among men and women parliamentarians and
offering them tools to perform their duties effectively while promoting the
principle of equality and women’s rights in lawmaking and government oversight.
Training
strategies should consider specific circumstances, such as the fact that “women
legislators are less likely to have previously served as politicians than
their male colleagues.” Some training programs are exclusively designed for
women parliamentarians, in order to address existing gaps in formal and
political education. “Single-sex sessions for women have proven useful in
building self-confidence as they provide a safe learning environment in which
women are more likely to actively engage.”[1]
Example: In Mexico, the Electoral National Institute (Instituto
Nacional Electoral, INE) provided women parliamentarians with skill building
online training on communication styles and negotiation in 2018, through the
Temporary Commission for the Strengthening of Gender Equality and Non
Discrimination in Political Participation.[2]
Example: In Morocco, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians provides its
members with conflict resolution workshops to improve their leadership skills.[3]
Example: In Burundi, the Association of Women Parliamentarians
organizes training sessions on leadership, advocacy and communication.[4]
Example: In Ethiopia, the Caucus of Women Parliamentarians organizes
activities that allow its members to practice debating skills in a safe
environment.[5]
Example: In Georgia, the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament
organized in 2017 a six-day tailored session on gender budgeting practices and
the gender perspective of the policy and lawmaking process, in partnership with
UNDP, NDI, Government of Sweden, UK Government and the USAID Georgia Good
Governance Initiative.[6]
[3] Inter-Parliamentary
Union (2013)
