Gender-focused institutions in international parliamentary bodies: The case of the women's caucus of the parliamentary assembly of the Portuguese-speaking countries

Abstract

© 2016 The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Hansard Society. Gender-focused bodies within international institutions play a significant role in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. The particular contribution of those in international parliamentary institutions, however, has been a relatively neglected area of research. This article investigates the launch of a caucus of women parliamentarians in a relatively unknown international parliamentary institution, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Portuguese-speaking countries. It investigates the institution's relevance and the challenges to women's organisation within it.