LocationsChallenges, progresses and milestones of Mongolian women parliamentarians discussed
November 4, 2024
Ulaanbaatar – 4 November 2024 – On the occasion of commemorating a century since Mongolia's first constitution, the third Women Parliamentarians Forum convened at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum in Ulaanbaatar. This year's theme, "Women Parliamentarians’ Participation and Leadership in 100 Years of the First Constitution," highlights both the progress and challenges women have faced in leadership roles throughout Mongolia's political history.
Since its inception in 2022, the forum has been organized by the Secretariat Office of the Parliament and the Women Parliamentarians’ Group, with support from UNDP’s "Promoting Gender Equality in Public Decision-Making and Women’s Empowerment in Mongolia," project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The project aims to enhance women’s participation in public decision-making processes in Mongolia.
His Excellency Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, Speaker of the Parliament, stated "The 2023 amendment to the Constitution of Mongolia, which increased the number of parliamentary members to 126, introduced a mixed electoral system, and legalized a gender-based zipper list was a crucial milestone. This systemic change led to the election of 32 women to the 9th Parliament, marking the first time women constituted 25.4% of the total members. This achievement positioned Mongolia as a regional leader in women's parliamentary representation in Asia, nearing the global average. The journey to this milestone was not without challenges. To gradually achieve gender equality in decision-making, Mongolia employed various consensus-building mechanisms at the Parliament level, including open dialogue, bridging gaps in understanding, and active listening."
Ms. Jo Haenglan, KOICA Country Director, said “This year marks the 100th anniversary of Mongolia’s first constitution, a pivotal milestone in the nation’s history. The recent election results showcase the resilience and determination of women in governance". She further underscored the significance of amplifying women’s voices in politics and stated, “When female politicians unite to propose impactful legislation, oversee budget execution, and contribute to Mongolia’s socioeconomic development, these positive actions accumulate, driving us towards a more gender-equal society.”
Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia applauded the recent historic milestone of Mongolia where women’s representation in the State Great Khural (Parliament) reaching 25.4 percent. She stated, “This is a landmark year for gender equality in Mongolia. Your collective efforts are building a society where every citizen can exercise their rights equally.”
The forum welcomed approximately 170 participants, including the Speaker of the Parliament, women parliamentarians, political party leaders, and representatives from diplomatic missions, international organizations, NGOs, and civil society organizations in Mongolia.
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About UNDP
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For further inquiries:
Erdenesukh Otgonbayar | Communications Analyst | UNDP in Mongolia | erdenesukh.otgonbayar@undp.org
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