In national parliaments across the EU, women make up less than a third of parliamentarians. This is bound to have an impact on parliamentary decisions. One way to balance the decision-making power in Europe is to have more gender-sensitive parliaments.

Parliaments not only make laws but they are also working places. Like other organisations, they have their own rules, customs and ways of working. These all need to consider the different needs of both women and men, who might have different opportunities to enter the parliament or influence decision-making.

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has developed a tool to help parliaments assess their organisation and working procedures and see how gender sensitive they are. To determine the level of gender equality in your parliament, you first need to collect facts. The tool can help you find out its strengths and weaknesses. With this knowledge, you will know what you would need to change to make your parliament more gender equal.

Further information

Go to the online tool

Read the news article 'Is your parliament doing enough to advance gender equality?'

Browse EIGE's gender mainstreaming platform

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