National parliaments focus on gender equality

Members of the Estonian delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) are attending the 145th IPU Assembly, with focus on gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world.

The Head of the Riigikogu delegation Toomas Kivimägi says in his speech that a broader inclusion of women in national parliaments is indeed a topic that should be discussed and that this is a perfect time for it. Yet, Kivimägi does not see setting up gender quotas as the solution, advocating instead for the elimination of administrative and material favouritism or obstacles that create the premise for unequal treatment in politics, employment, and social life on the basis of gender. “In our zeal for equality, we must not forget that there are fields where a higher percentage of men serves the society and the state better, and other fields where we should make more room for women. However, everyone must have an equal opportunity to compete,” he emphasises.

Members of national parliaments are briefed on the mission of the IPU working group to Kyiv and Moscow. With a view of resolving the war by peaceful means, the working group is seeking ways to help bring about the end of the war in Ukraine. In addition, the Assembly is considering the options for parliaments to deal with international migration and ways to stop human trafficking and violation of human rights. Issues of climate change are also on the agenda.

The Assembly brings together all the statutory bodies of the IPU, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, and Committee on Middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians. The Standing Committees report to the Assembly on their work, and the Plenary Assembly adopts the resolutions of the Standing Committees, as well as the General Debate Outcome Document on the response to equality.

Estonia is represented at the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Kigali, Rwanda, on 11–15 October by the President of the Estonian IPU Group Toomas Kivimägi, and Vice-Presidents Helle-Moonika Helme, Helmen Kütt, and Marika Tuus-Laul. More than 1,000 members from around 120 parliaments are meeting at the Assembly.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the oldest and largest organisation of parliaments in the world. It was established in 1889 and has 178 member states from the entire world. Estonia was a member of the Union between 1921–1940 and restored its membership after regaining independence in 1991.

Source: Parliament of Estonia