Latest News
Sluggish progress on women in politics will hamper development
The Women in Politics 2015 Map launched by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women today shows that although the numbers of women in executive government and in parliament continue to inch forward, the slow rate of progress will severely check global development plans due to be adopted later this year. Women’s political empowerment and equal participation in political decision-making have underpinned global development targets since 1995 and are likely to feature in the new sustainable development agenda taking over from the Millennium Development Goals this year. read more
"I got into politics to have more women and young people involved in the decision-making of our leaders and to improve the lives of our people."
"I want to be a voice for young people and to change the world."
"I am in parliament because of HeForShe."
"I am working to achieve my ideals: serving society and working for Colombia."
"I want to be useful to my country by promoting universal values and principles and contributing to peace, stability and international cooperation on the basis of the international law."
Determined action needed for gender parity in parliament despite 20 years of progress
Although the percentage of women MPs in the world has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, ambitious and concerted political action is needed globally to overcome the slow pace of progress to equality, says the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Since 1995, when the Beijing Platform for Action on women’s empowerment was adopted, the global average of women in parliament has increased from 11.3 per cent to 22.1 per cent. Women MPs have gained ground in nearly 90 per cent of the 174 countries for which data was available in 1995-2015. read more
Endorsements of common principles for parliamentary support rise
The number of parliaments and organizations endorsing the Common Principles for Support to Parliament has been steadily increasing in the run up to the 132nd IPU Assembly in Hanoi where a formal endorsement ceremony will take place on 31st March. So far, 23 national parliaments, the Maghreb Consultative Council and ten partner organizations have endorsed the Common Principles, which were adopted at the 131st IPU Assembly in October 2014. Put together by a group of parliaments and parliamentary development entities, and the result of more than four decades of experience on parliamentary development, the Common Principles offer clear guidelines for those receiving or providing support to parliaments. read more
The global organization of parliaments, IPU works to establish democracy, peace and cooperation among peoples.
Representative Democracy
A strong and efficient parliament is critical to democracy. IPU works to make parliaments more effective in fulfilling their government oversight and legislative roles, in guaranteeing people’s rights and liberties and in securing peace and development.
Women in Politics
Democracy means all voices are heard. IPU is committed to ensuring that women - half of the world’s population - are able to participate equally in politics. Its unique research and data on women’s political participation is a widely used barometer on progress.
International Peace and Security
IPU’s primary goals are peace and democracy. It gives special priority to preventing and eliminating conflict through political dialogue. It responds to crises which affect world or regional security and monitors certain conflict situations.
Promoting Human Rights
Parliament has a special responsibility to ensure human rights are respected. IPU provides protection and redress to MPs at risk of abuse and helps parliaments to make human rights a reality for everyone.
Sustainable Development
Parliaments play a critical role in social and economic development. IPU supports parliaments on key international development goals, on making development aid more effective and on strengthening parliamentary action on climate change.
Cooperation with the UN
IPU works closely with the United Nations and other multi-lateral bodies to ensure there is a parliamentary dimension to international cooperation, global governance as well as in the resolution of major international issues.
Key Events
IPU brings together parliamentarians from around the world to actively find solutions to global and regional problems.
You can find a list of Future Events here.
