Gender Champions at the IPU

At the IPU, we are strongly committed to gender parity. As part of this commitment, we have three Gender Champions: IPU Secretary General Anda Filip, Paddy Torsney, IPU Permanent Observer to the UN in New York and Brigitte Brenner, IPU Permanent Observer to the UN and other International Organizations in Vienna.

The International Gender Champions is a network of decision makers committed to breaking down gender barriers. Gender Champions sign the Gender-based Violence Pledge to create and maintain safe workplaces, and the Gender Parity Pledge to strive for gender parity. Also see the guidelines to implement gender parity on panels.

Below are pledges made by Ms. Anda Filip, Ms. Torsney and Ms. Brenner: 

Anda Filip
As a Gender Champion, I commit to undertake the following:

• Pursue efforts to empower women—especially young women—in political leadership, in particular by organizing at least one intergenerational mentorship activity in the second half of 2026, bringing together young women from civil society and women MPs.
• Equip Members of Parliament with enhanced skills and tools to address sexism, harassment and violence against women in politics, including through dedicated training and awareness-raising.

Paddy Torsney
As a Gender Champion, I commit to undertake the following:

• Mentor women in their careers, particularly young women as they graduate, talking to them directly, ensuring they see openings and coaching them to success.
• Promote the full implementation of the IPUs anti-harassment policy, encouraging people to embrace the policy, and standing with them when they do so.

Brigitte Brenner
As a Gender Champion, I commit to undertake the following:

• I will serve as second mentor for a young colleague in the UN mentoring program who wishes to work inside of Austria in international affairs. I will continue my guidance and support for younger colleagues.
• I will promote IPUs anti-harassment policy and encourage women to speak out and stand with them when they do so.