National Parliamentary Dialogue on Promoting Women’s Political Participation and Leadership (WPPL)

Southeast Asia has made notable progress in advancing gender equality, particularly in women’s political participation and leadership. However, progress remains uneven across ASEAN and women continue to face barriers in their pursuit of political leadership in the region. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report consistently highlights a significant gap in women’s political empowerment across the region.1 While ASEAN Member States have collectively increased the average representation of women in parliaments from 12% in 2000 to 22% in 2022, the region is still working towards the target of 30% representation.2 Addressing this gap requires collective efforts to create an enabling environment that supports women’s participation in politics and leadership.

Recognising the persistent gap in women’s representation, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) initiated a regional project on Promoting Women’s Political Participation and Leadership (WPPL) to enhance women’s roles in decision-making by increasing their representation in parliament.

Raising awareness among key stakeholders is a crucial first step in enhancing women’s representation in legislative bodies. Increasing understanding of the barriers and opportunities for women in politics helps build momentum for more targeted and impactful initiatives. In this context, following the implementation phase of the WAIPA Plan of Action and Implementation Framework on Promoting Women’s Political Participation and Leadership 2024-2030, AIPA, UN Women, and the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam, will jointly organise a national-level parliamentary dialogue on WPPL. This dialogue will bring together key stakeholders, including Members of the Legislative Council, government, and civil society organisations, to foster discussions and raise awareness on advancing women’s political participation and leadership. This initiative will not only contribute to the national discourse on women’s leadership but will also contribute to Brunei Darussalam’s national efforts in women empowerment.

Overall Objectives

The dialogue aims to familiarise participants with the concept of women’s political participation and leadership through close engagement between parliamentarians, relevant ministries, civil society organisations, and experts.

Specific Objectives

• To raise awareness on promoting women’s political participation and leadership, and its relevance within the ASEAN region and its specific implications for Brunei Darussalam.
• To deepen the understanding of Members of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, relevant ministries and CSOs of the objectives and significance of the WAIPA Plan of Action and Implementation Framework on WPPL 2024-2030.
• To foster collaboration and enhance coordination among Members of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam and relevant stakeholders, ensuring a cohesive and effective approach to advocating for greater women’s political participation and leadership.