The CWP is an active advocate for the representation of women in Parliament, seeking to ensure parliaments are gender-sensitive institutions. In 2020, the CWP published a new set of guidelines, titled CWP Gender Sensitising Parliaments Guidelines: Standards and a Checklist for Parliamentary Change, to highlight the importance of gender sensitising across all parliaments in the Commonwealth. This work sought to update the previous work developed by the CPA in 2001. The CPA worked with Prof. Sarah Childs, a leading expert in this field in developing this updated resource.

Throughout 2021, the network will build on this initial work by delivering its Gender Sensitive Parliaments in the 21st Century Project. This project will commence in early 2021 through the roll-out of nine regional roundtables. Each roundtable will be an opportunity to introduce parliamentarians (of all genders) to the Guidelines. This will be a prelude to supporting parliaments across the Commonwealth in conducting self-assessment reviews as well as supporting individual parliaments in implementing follow-up recommendations.

This is the 5th event in the roundtable series, focussing on the Australia Region. Roundtables have already been held for:

• Africa Region
• Pacific Region
• Asia Region
• South-East Asia Region

Moderator

Sarah Childs, Professor of Gender and Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, and author of the CWP Gender Sensitising Parliaments Guidelines: Standards and a Checklist for Parliamentary Change