A caucus gives women parliamentarians a venue to expand their influence through a network grounded in women’s solidarity. It allows them to center women’s voices while working in the parliament and gives them opportunities for greater impact as they collectively push for legislation and programs addressing women’s needs and concerns.

This is important, especially when gender disparity in legislation has adverse effects on social and economic growth. When women are less likely to have access to social protection and are constrained from achieving the same leadership positions as men, women’s contributions to collective growth and development are also held back. Having a women’s caucus translates to relevant legislation for women that makes a more equitable society possible — one where socioeconomic progress is made more meaningful by having genuine representation for women.