One Size Does Not Fit All - International IDEA

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL: LESSONS LEARNED FROM LEGISLATIVE GENDER COMMISSIONS AND CAUCUSESWhile the Namibian Parliament’s Gender Commission addresses gender issues from a partisan politicalperspective, the Women’s Caucus plays the essential role of analysing, from a general perspective that setsaside political differences, issues such as the budget, CEDAW and its implications for legislation, women’s rights,and oversight of enforcement of laws on gender issues. The group presents proposals and makes collectivestatements in the name of women, and disseminates information about relevant legislation to the public. aaSee IPU, “Women in National Parliaments”CHALLENGE: DEVELOPING VIABLE, ATTRACTIVE PROPOSALS ANDADVOCACY WITHIN PARTY CAUCUSES AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEST PRACTICESAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADefine moments for clarifying and building consensuson a shared vision of conceptual issues related to thegender equality agenda. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEstablish communication with government institutions,academics and civil society organizations aswell as experts in various fields to develop strongerproposals. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADefine strategies for contacting, convincing and/orgaining the commitment of caucus members’ partyleaders and other party members. AAAAAAAAAAIn Ecuador, a technical supportteam has been formed todevelop specific proposals formainstreaming gender orincluding gender in legislativeinitiatives and presenting them tothe Parliamentary Group forWomen’s Rights, the membersof which subsequently presentthese proposals during debatein the legislature or in reportsdrafted as part of legislativeprocedures.Include in discussions and decision-making groups men who recognize the importanceof women’s political participation. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUse tools to systematically map key stakeholders and identify windows of opportunity.Develop and implement communication strategies for placing gender issues on thepublic agenda and making the cross-party group’s work more visible. AAAAAAAAGenerate support and public pressure on issues of interest to the group, involvingwomen who have a high public profile at the national level. AAAAAAAAAAAAEstablish contact with legislators from other countries and international organizationsin order to gain international support for proposals. AAAAAAaaaaaAAAAaaaaaa28