The afternoon session of the “We, Women” forum continued with discussions aimed at increasing the participation of women politicians at local decision-making levels, promoting their leadership opportunities, and creating positive social impact.

The discussion was moderated by Member of Parliament D. Uuriintuya, MPs U. Otgonbayar, S. Erdenebold (Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee), M. Narantuya-Nara, and P. Ganzorig responded to questions raised by participants.

Participants shared key issues facing women in local communities. They noted that women’s participation at political decision-making levels remains insufficient, pointing out that beyond quota concerns, women often face unequal opportunities from the start. The discussion included exchanges of views on the need for political parties to provide support for election campaign costs.

During the discussion, Deputy Speaker of the State Great Hural (Parliament) Kh. Bulgantuya announced a summary of the proposals collected from participants and presented a formal call to action. She stated:

“Women representatives elected to local self-governance bodies across Mongolia and women members of the State Great Hural (Parliament), regardless of party affiliation, have jointly issued the following call to ensure gender equality, strengthen the representative capacity of local self-governance bodies, and address pressing social and economic issues.”

The call to action includes:

• Amending the law to require that for the 2028 elections of Citizens’ Representative Khurals at the provincial, capital city, district, and soum levels, political parties and coalitions nominate at least 40% candidates of either gender, bringing the law in line with the standards set in the State Great Hural election law.
• Establishing a legal framework to refuse the registration of parties or coalitions that fail to meet the minimum gender representation threshold stipulated in Article 29.2 of the law on Citizens’ Representative Khural elections.
• Enforcing the Law on Gender Equality at all levels and creating mechanisms to hold appointing authorities legally accountable if they fail to comply.
• Upholding the constitutional right under Article 16, Section 4, which guarantees citizens’ rights to fair remuneration for their work, by properly evaluating and supporting the roles and responsibilities of Citizens’ Representative Khural members.
• Addressing legal constraints that limit representatives’ rights to work effectively, due to the irregular and non-permanent nature of Citizens’ Representative Khural activities.
• Ensuring gender balance on all levels of election ballots by following a 1:1 principle in candidate listings.
• Increasing transparency and openness of political financing, limiting monetary influence in politics, and creating a legal environment to reduce election campaign costs at all levels.
• Strengthening the implementation of the Law on Political Parties and increasing women’s representation in grassroots and mid-level party organizations to enhance internal democracy.
• Recognizing women’s increased political participation as a driving force behind tangible projects and programs implemented nationwide, and promoting their phased implementation.
• Continuing the “We, Women” program systematically, tailored to regional and provincial specifics, to ensure law enforcement, oversight, and effective resolution of ongoing issues.