Women Parliamentarians Forum highlights importance of global collaboration and gender equity

TDT | Manama                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Report by Julia Cassano

Giving women parliamentarians a unique opportunity and a global platform for international decision-making, the Women Parliamentarians Forum opened yesterday in Bahrain alongside the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly.

The first of its kind and a trailblazer on the issue of women’s political participation, the forum meets at every IPU Assembly.

It provides an opportunity for women MPs to learn about how other countries are addressing gender inequality.

IPU President Duarte Pacheco opened the forum in the presence of the participating parliamentary delegations attending the 146th IPU Assembly.

Representing Bahrain, Shura Council First Deputy Chairman Jamal Mohammed Fakhro stressed Bahrain’s strides in promoting gender equity through constitutional and legislative provisions.

He noted Bahrain’s ranking on international indicators measuring women’s progress, paying tribute to Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women.

Cyber-attacks affect women: Dr Ravza

In an interview with The Daily Tribune, Dr Ravza Kavakci Kan, president of the Turkish IPU Group, emphasized the importance of increasing women’s participation in parliament and exchanging resolutions to address common issues.

She proudly noted that all parliaments now have female representatives, which was once nonexistent, and stated that the IPU sheds light on important issues faced by both men and women in societies.

During the Women’s Forum IPU, a special discussion was held on cyber-attacks, where Dr Ravza highlighted the impact of such attacks on women, especially those in the public eye.

“Cyber-attacks pose threats to everyone of all ages and genders; however, we wanted to center the discussion around how cyber-attacks affect women,” she said.

She further stated that any type of cyberattack has significant effects on women, whether it is economic or social.

The issue of social media and cyberbullying towards women was also discussed, and it was recognized as a global issue.

Dr Ravza highlighted female members of parliament as potential targets for such attacks, as they are more visible in the public eye.

Human rights were also a significant topic of discussion, and Dr Ravza stressed the need for resolutions that address issues faced by all genders, nationalities, and races. She stated, “If we advocate for democracy and human rights, it should be a right for all people.”

Be fair and equal to all: Savinykh

According to Andrei Savinykh, ambassador and chairman of The Standing Commission on International Affairs, the IPU is an essential organisation that allows parliaments to discuss critical issues.

He highlighted that the world is currently undergoing a transformative time in international history, and it is crucial to ensure that the principles of this new world are fair and equal to all.

Savinykh asked, “How will we provide possibilities for different countries to develop?”

and emphasized that through the IPU forum, honest recommendations can be freely shared, and views can be changed.

He believes that the IPU’s special and unique platform can create opportunities to exchange ideas and expectations.

Climate change needs global collaboration: Hasipoglu

MP and General Secretary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Oguzhan Hasipoglu, stressed the significance of countries working together to address global issues.

He stated that climate change has become a pressing concern that requires global collaboration and partnership to solve.

Hasipoglu acknowledged that Bahrain is starting to play a crucial role in national affairs and expressed hope for further discussions between Cyprus and Bahrain.

Working together and sharing knowledge: Dr Chaudhury

Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP of Bangladesh Parliament, considers the assembly an excellent platform to discuss and deliberate on essential issues and emerging challenges that affect the welfare of the people.

She believes that sharing best practices among nations is crucial to drawing upon different solutions to common problems, including climate change, strengthening women’s empowerment and participation, and gender equality.

Chaudhury stressed that many countries face the same issues and are interconnected, making global cooperation urgently needed.

She stated, “When countries can unite and come together as one, we can solve some of the most frightful issues threatening societies all over the world.”

The MP believes that by working together and sharing knowledge, countries can tackle the most significant challenges affecting societies globally.