Background
Since 1976, the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CHRP) has examined cases involving parliamentarians whose human rights have been violated, often in connection with their parliamentary mandate, political views or opposition status. Over this period, the Committee has developed a unique body of casework covering a wide range of violations, including arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trial proceedings, threats and intimidation, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, torture and ill-treatment, enforced disappearance, assassination and impunity.
The IPU has also long recognised that women and men in political life may face different forms of violence, intimidation and discrimination. Its work on sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments has shown that women parliamentarians are often targeted not only because of their political work, but also because they are women. Such attacks may be sexualised, gendered, identity-based or intended to discourage women from exercising public authority.
Against this background, the IPU wishes to examine the last 26 years of CHRP casework through a gender lens. This analysis will help identify trends in the number and nature of cases involving women and men parliamentarians, the types of violations affecting them, the gender-specific dimensions of cases involving women MPs, and the extent to which those dimensions have been recognised and addressed in the Committee’s work.
The study will also consider whether the CHRP and the IPU Secretariat have demonstrated sufficient gender sensitivity in the examination and follow-up of relevant cases, including in their engagement with victims, complainants, authorities and other stakeholders. It will further assess the solutions and forms of redress obtained in these cases and whether gender-specific considerations were adequately taken into account.
About the project
The IPU is looking to recruit a Geneva-based consultant to carry out a gender analysis of CHRP cases over the last 26 years. The consultant will review digital and paper case files, analyse trends and patterns, and produce a concise booklet presenting the main findings, analysis and conclusions. The booklet will be intended primarily for online publication and dissemination.
The project will examine, among other things:
- Trends in the number of cases involving women and men parliamentarians before the CHRP
- The types of violations affecting women and men MPs
- The extent to which cases involving women MPs include a gender-specific dimension
- How that gender dimension has been addressed by the CHRP and the IPU Secretariat
- The nature of the solutions, protection measures or forms of redress obtained
- Whether gender-specific needs and risks were sufficiently reflected in those solutions
- Lessons that can be drawn to further strengthen the gender sensitivity of CHRP procedures and practice
In addition to the public booklet, the consultant will prepare internal recommendations for the IPU Secretariat servicing the CHRP and for the CHRP itself. These recommendations should identify practical ways to further enhance gender sensitivity in the handling, examination and follow-up of cases. They should also suggest possible areas for reform and, if relevant, propose a roadmap for change and identify mechanisms to monitor progress in addressing gender-based violations. Finally, the recommendations should also provide pointers on how to better address gender-based violence in politics.
The consultant will work under the supervision of the IPU Human Rights Programme Manager and in close consultation with relevant IPU staff, in particular from the Human Rights Programme and the Gender Partnership Programme.
Tasks
The consultant will be expected to:
- Review relevant CHRP digital and paper case files covering the last 26 years
- Compile and analyse quantitative data on cases involving women and men MPs
- Identify trends in the types of violations affecting women and men MPs
- Analyse the gender-specific dimensions of cases involving women parliamentarians, including sexualised, gender-based, family-related, reputational or identity-based attacks
- Assess whether and how the CHRP and IPU Secretariat identified, reflected and addressed the gender dimension of relevant cases
- Review the solutions, protection measures, outcomes or forms of redress obtained in relevant cases and assess whether gender-specific considerations were taken into account
- Consult relevant IPU staff, in particular from the Human Rights Programme and the Gender Partnership Programme
- Where appropriate and feasible, consult current or former CHRP members, victims or their representatives who have been assisted by the CHRP
- Prepare a draft structure and methodology for the booklet
- Draft the booklet, incorporating comments received from the IPU Secretariat
- Prepare a separate internal note with practical recommendations for the IPU Secretariat and the CHRP
- Contribute to any related internal discussions or presentations of the findings, as required
The work will involve close cooperation with:
- IPU staff, in particular from the Human Rights Programme and the Gender Partnership Programme
- Current or former CHRP members, where appropriate
- Victims, complainants or representatives assisted by the CHRP, where appropriate and feasible
- Other relevant IPU staff or experts, as required
Deliverables and timing
The consultant shall be expected to complete up to a maximum of 60 days of work, based on a 7.5-hour working day. The consultancy is expected to begin early September and be completed by mid-December 2026.
High-level deliverables are set out below. Specific deliverables and deadlines will be confirmed through the work-planning process.
- Inception note and workplan
A short note setting out the proposed methodology, workplan, timetable, file-review approach and proposed structure of the booklet. - Preliminary data and analytical framework
An initial overview of the quantitative and qualitative categories to be used for the analysis, including proposed indicators for assessing gender sensitivity in CHRP case handling. - Progress updates
Regular updates to the IPU Human Rights Programme Manager on the status of the file review, emerging findings and any methodological or access-related issues. - Draft booklet
A draft publication presenting the analysis, trends, findings and conclusions in a clear and accessible format suitable for online publication. - Final booklet
A revised final version of the booklet incorporating comments from the IPU Secretariat. - Internal recommendations note
A separate internal note for the IPU Secretariat and the CHRP setting out practical recommendations to further strengthen gender sensitivity in the examination, follow-up and resolution of CHRP cases. - Internal presentation of findings
A presentation of the main findings and recommendations to relevant IPU staff and, if requested, to the CHRP.
Location
The consultant must be based in Geneva for the duration of the consultancy or otherwise be able to work regularly from Geneva.
The work will require frequent access to digital and paper CHRP files stored at the IPU headquarters. Regular in-person interaction with IPU staff will also be necessary, in particular with the Human Rights Programme and the Gender Partnership Programme.
Requirements
Candidates for the consultancy need to be able to demonstrate:
- Advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as law, human rights, political science, gender studies, international relations or social sciences
- Strong knowledge of international human rights law and mechanisms
- Demonstrated expertise in gender analysis, gender-based violence, women’s political participation or violence against women in politics
- Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including the review and coding of large bodies of documentary material
- Ability to analyse sensitive human rights case files with discretion, rigour and respect for confidentiality
- Good understanding of parliamentary work, political mandates and the risks faced by parliamentarians
- Experience in producing clear, concise and policy-relevant written analysis for publication
- Ability to formulate practical institutional recommendations
- Excellent writing skills in English
- Ability to read French and/or Spanish is highly desirable, given the nature of CHRP case files
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Excellent judgement, cultural sensitivity and attention to detail
