GSP

Question 1

Definition of a GSP?

Answer 1

A GSP values and prioritises gender equality as a social, economic and political objective and reorients and transforms a parliament’s institutional culture, processes and practices, and outputs towards these objectives

Question 2

7 Dimensions of GSP

Answer 2

Equality of participation

GE champion via Equality Policy Framework

Mainstreaming GE

Gender-sensitive infrastructure and culture

Shared responsibility for GE

Political parties champion GE

Parliament administration

Question 3

CPA GSP 2020 Standards

Answer 3

Equal Representation - How a diverse group of MPs might be selected for, and elected to, parliament and how, once
present, they are enabled to become effective participants across parliament’s core activities: representation and interest articulation, legislative scrutiny, and executive accountability.

Parliamentary Infrastructure: The way in which parliament facilitates the work of Members and whether this privileges a
particular type of MP – explicitly or implicitly…from the buildings and furniture of parliament
to the official rules and working practices that underpin the array of Members’ parliamentary
activities.

Parliamentary Culture: Acknowledges that the official, written-down rules never tell the whole story about how
institutions function on the ground – this is what might be thought of as the ‘normal way of
doing things’. It is, admittedly, frequently hard to pin down informal institutional norms,
practices and culture. That said …parliamentary culture… is not fixed but an evolving
phenomenon, subject to change.

Gender Equality Policy/Substantive Representation: Subjecting the political work of parliament to gendered analysis - legislation, policy, scrutiny
and interest representation. It asks whether parliaments acknowledge the perspectives and address the needs and interests of women. Have women’s experiences been taken into account? Are the gendered differentiated outcomes to women’s disadvantage?

Question 4

Kigali Declaration 2022: 10 GSP Acts for the next 10 years

Answer 4

1. Undertake two GSP assessments
2. Create GSP Steering Committee
3. Prioritise the inclusion of underrepresented women
4. Create, resource and empower a gender equality committee and a women’s caucus
5. Adopt formal rules for gender
   balance across all leadership
   positions/activities – no single
   sex committees or groups
6. Engage men as allies for gender equality
7. Ensure GSP, gender equality,
   gender mainstreaming and
   budgeting guide all parliamentary work
8. Conduct gender audits of
   legislative, budgetary and
   oversight & any reform initiatives
9. Becoming ’caring parliament’
10. Zero tolerance policies &
    sanctions for violence against
    women, sexual harassment &
    bullying

Question 5

Recommendations: Participation

Answer 5

1. Commence section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 (political parties required to provide data relating to parliamentary candidates)
2. Support the production of comprehensive website materials (diversity)
3. prohibit single-sex/gender select committees
4. Introduce sex/gender quotas for the election of select committee chairs prior to 2025 GE

Question 6

Recommendations: Infrastructure and Culture

Answer 6

1. Revise the dress code to ‘business dress’ or ‘national costume’
2. Commit to diverse artwork (end of the 10 year dead rule)
3. Rise the parliamentary identity pass
4. provide for inclusionary social spaces; provide sufficient toilet capacity

Question 7

Institutionalisation

Answer 7

‘Successful institutionalisation
involves not only determining
necessary reforms relevant to a particular Parliament and its
circumstances but in identifying the actors and means through which
reforms are implemented, and GSP Standards maintained.’

Question 8

Key Successes of the GSP

Answer 8

18/43 recommendations implemented

Key successes - women and equalities committee made permanent

2018 Inter-Parliamentary Union GSP Audit
of both Commons & Lords

Abolition of 10 year ‘dead’ rule for artwork

Select Committee witness diversity efforts

Proxy voting for baby leave

Question 9

Key failures of the GSP

Answer 9

Section 106 of Equality Act 2010 - publication of candidate diversity data

systematic monitoring of participation data

parliamentary efficiency and effectiveness recommendations

restoration and renewal