Labour's Harriet Harman calls for female MPs to have global network

Labour politician Harriet Harman has called for female MPs around the world to have a global network, following the very first Women MPs of the World Conference in the Chamber of the House of Commons.

On 8 November, female MPs from 100 parliaments in five continents around the world attended the summit, in which they debated numerous issues that they’ve faced throughout their careers in politics.

The findings of these discussions, which have been published by the 'Mother of the House of Commons' today, explored the threatening messages and abuse that female MPs and their families regularly receive online and in person, how female politicians are frequently judged by their appearances, and the discrimination and harassment that some of them have experienced at the hands of their male peers.

They also discussed subject matters such as the way in which some male politicians in various countries will fill quota seats in parliament with their female partners or relatives so that they can influence the legislature of their government with greater ease.

Harman, who was leader of the Labour Party from 8 May 2015 until 12 September 2015, spoke about the importance of ensuring that women’s voices are heard in politics.

“There are now women in nearly every parliament in the world,” she said.

“We have fought our way in past prejudice and discrimination, often in the face of threats and violence.

“Women in parliament are pioneers. We have been elected to sit alongside men in our legislatures. But we are, as yet, not on equal terms.

“We are still in a minority and are relatively new arrivals in legislatures which are male-dominated.”

She continued, expressing her belief in the need for a global network for female MPs.

“Most global summits are male-dominated or even men only. For men MPs the international network is well developed, but it isn’t for women,” she said.

“Out of our conference has come a powerful global network of committed women who want to work together for progress for each of our countries and all of our people.

“There was a strong desire to hold the conference annually in different parliaments around the world so we can continue to support each other and share ideas.

“Women in politics are a new force for global change.”

Nafisa Shah, member of the national assembly in Pakistan, spoke about the negative way in which female politicians in the country are regarded by their male peers.

"Women MPs face discrimination and harassment, even when they become prime ministers," she said.

"Even though women have become visible through party lists, the list system has become the basis of the very discrimination that we challenge.

"Our male colleagues call such seats 'charity seats' and remind women every day that they are not real representatives."