Commonwealth Parliaments Unite to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2025
International Women’s Day 2025 was celebrated across the Commonwealth on 8 March with a diverse range of events and initiatives highlighting the achievements of women in politics and advocating for gender equality. From parliamentary panels to leadership forums, legislatures worldwide are reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity and representation.
Honouring Trailblazing Women in Politics in Australia and New Zealand 
The Australian House of Representatives showcased prominent women who have shaped the nation’s politics over the past 40 years, including former Prime Minister, Hon. Julia Gillard, Tanya Plibersek and Linda Burney. In New Zealand, a panel discussion featuring MPs Katie Nimon, Hūhana Lyndon, Hon. Jan Tinetti and Hon. Nicole McKee was moderated by the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate Services, Amy Brier and provided insights into the challenges and successes of women in political leadership.
Advancing Representation and Participation in the UK
The UK House of Commons marked a historic milestone, with the highest number of female MPs elected to date – 263 women now make up 40% of the UK Parliament’s elected chamber. A historic photo was taken in the House of Commons Chamber to mark the milestone. (Above image copyright: UK Parliament)
Northern Ireland’s Progress Towards Gender Parity
The Northern Ireland Assembly highlighted its journey towards gender parity, with 40% of its Members now women and seven of twelve Executive Ministers being female. In 1998, just 14% of MLAs were women, but that figure has increased significantly in 2025. The Women’s Caucus at the Assembly also hosted a ‘Pathways to Political Participation’ event, encouraging and supporting women to enter and progress in politics.
Empowering Women Leaders in The Gambia
Hon. Fatoumata Njai, a Member of the National Assembly of The Gambia and gender champion, joined African leaders in Monrovia in Liberia at an International Women’s Day event hosted by former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Discussions focused on advancing women’s leadership and political participation across Africa, with key figures from Ghana, Malawi, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone in attendance.
Celebrating Women in Parliaments Across Canada
Legislatures across the CPA Canada Region held events recognising the contributions of women in politics to mark International Women’s Day 2025. The Nova Scotia Legislature honoured the leadership and resilience of women in its Assembly. Meanwhile, British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly reflected on historical milestones, honouring Nancy Hodges, the first woman to serve as Speaker in any Commonwealth Parliament (pictured below).
Engaging Men in the Gender Equality Conversation
The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature in South Africa launched its first-ever Men’s Parliament, encouraging male allies to actively participate in discussions on gender equality and inclusion.
A Call to Action for Gender Equality
Hon. Shirley Botchwey, the Commonwealth Secretary-General-Elect, used International Women’s Day 2025 to reaffirm that ‘the pursuit of equality is just, fair and necessary’. She highlighted the global pushback against women’s rights and stressed the importance of continued advocacy to ensure that progress towards gender parity is not reversed.
Read her article titled ‘Working for equality is a permanent struggle’ online.
Trinidad and Tobago Parliament Highlight Women’s Roles in Society
The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago marked International Women’s Day 2025 by releasing video interviews with local women who are positively impacting society. Interviews featured a wide range of roles from local business women and cultural leaders to teachers and transport workers.
Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff also attended the launch of a new mentorship programme for young women and Members of the Women Parliamentarians of Trinidad and Tobago (WPTT) participated in the Network of NGOs' International Women's Day march and rally in Woodford Square.
Sri Lanka Parliament Marks Historic Level of Women’s Representation
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is also a Steering Committee Member of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), spoke about Sri Lanka’s historic achievements with the highest female representation in parliamentary history at a media event to mark International Women’s Day 2025.
The event was held by the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus in Sri Lanka whose Chair, Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj said that the positive development that more women are represented in Parliament was historic as it was based on their political and social activism rather than their political or family background.
Malaysia Parliament hold World Women’s Day Forum
To mark International Women’s Day 2025, Hon. Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad, MP, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Society Development (and former Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Chairperson), inaugurated a Women's Forum at the Parliament of Malaysia.
Under the theme of ‘Gender Equality Drives Change’, the forum emphasised the role of women and men in equally to develop the country without discrimination. Panellists discussed challenges and opportunities in women leadership with over 400 participants including MPs, Ministry officials, NGOs, lecturers and students.
Conclusion
As these initiatives progress across the Commonwealth, the commitment to empowering women and accelerating gender equality remains steadfast. This International Women’s Day, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians continue to drive change, ensuring that political spaces become more inclusive and representative for future generations.
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The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) was founded in 1989 to increase the number of female elected representatives in 180 Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth and to ensure that women’s issues are brought to the fore in parliamentary debate and legislation. The network campaigns for gender equality in all spheres. For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.
