Ten years on from the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, the target of 30% for women’s political participation has still not been achieved. Only 15.7% of the world’s parliamentarians are women. Why are there still so few women in parliaments? Are quotas the only way to guarantee equal representation for women? How effective can women be when they are still in the minority in parliaments? How can women be supported and encouraged when they are elected? This seminar will bring together politicians, activists and academics to look at mainstreaming gender into political life, compare international experiences of positive action measures and discuss how women politicians can work effectively to deliver policy and practice which addresses the needs of women as well as men.

The Welsh Assembly has been at the forefront of change in the male dominated arena of politics and now has not only equal numbers of men and women in the Assembly but a cabinet comprising more women than men. Representatives of  the All-Party Women and Democracy Group in the National Assembly of Wales will be in attendance at sessions throughout the week and will be bringing their own reflections and experiences of the process and the changes they feel they are making as women to the world of politics.

Topics include:

• promoting the participation of women in political life
• quota mechanisms
• mainstreaming gender in the political forum
• role of parliamentary cross-party groups
• building partnerships and alliances
• media and promoting more positive images of women politicians

Who should attend this seminar
The seminar will be of interest to women and men who are actively engaged in working to increase women's representation in political decision making. The interactive format of workshops and discussions will provide MPs, academics and those in the NGO sector with the opportunity to come together to discuss and share their experiences and good practice and hear different perspectives. We hope that MPs will also feel encouraged to attend this seminar to talk about the challenges they have faced in their political lives and talk about the ways forward for the future