Today the Senedd Commission announced the start of a Family-Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review, to check how well the Senedd’s rules, culture, facilities, and decision-making represent and serve everyone.
It will measure progress against international standards for gender-sensitive parliaments set out by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Working with Members, staff, and academics, the review will cover a wide range of issues. This will include representation and participation, practices and culture, public engagement, and outputs (law-making and oversight/scrutiny). The review will explore how gender interacts with other characteristics to shape experiences.
This project delivers on a recommendation made by the Reform Bill Committee last year and follows similar reviews in the UK, Scottish, and Irish parliaments.
An independent academic will conduct the review, which will be overseen by a cross-party Board, led by Joyce Watson MS. Work will begin immediately, and the Board aims to publish the report and its recommendations by the end of 2025.
Board membership:
- Joyce Watson MS, Welsh Labour (Chair)
- Peter Fox MS, Welsh Conservatives
- Jane Dodds MS, Welsh Liberal Democrats
- Siân Gwenllian MS, Plaid Cymr
- Mike Hedges MS, Welsh Labour