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]