Andorra Women Parliamentarians Network Approves Measures for Gender Equality in Legislation and Budget

The Network of Women Parliamentarians in Andorra has approved a series of new measures to strengthen gender equality within parliamentary activities, including a manual of best practices for gender perspective in legislation and efforts to incorporate such a perspective into the General Council's 2027 budget.

At its ordinary general assembly on Tuesday evening, chaired by subsyndic and president Sandra Codina, the group presented its 2025 activity report, reviewed its first year of operations, approved its 2027 budget, and endorsed future action lines by unanimous vote. Codina noted that all initial objectives have been met or are underway, with strengthened coordination alongside Andorra's international delegations, such as those to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Delegation leaders now provide comprehensive briefings upon return, amplifying the country's influence on equality issues.

A flagship proposal involves submitting an IPU amendment, put forward by Judith Pallarès, secretary general of the Andorran Women's Institute. It aims to enforce gender balance in delegations through incentives and non-discriminatory penalties for non-compliance, targeting structural imbalances. "These measures should not be discriminatory, but help correct ongoing disparities in many organizations," Codina stated.

The assembly also greenlit initiatives to promote inclusive, non-sexist language, including training for parliamentary staff, a legislative technique agreement, and a style guide for administrative documents. Other approved actions address barriers to women's political participation through awareness campaigns, monitoring of the Effective Equality Law, and sessions on preventing cyber-harassment and digital violence. The network met with key partners like the State Secretariat for Equality, the Andorran Women's Institute, and the Andorran Women's Association, with a session planned Wednesday with Acció Feminista.

Outreach efforts include sharing Andorra's innovative model with regions like the Basque Country to help establish similar networks. Internally, an inclusive language manual for administration is complete, while a legislative version is in development. Training on gender-sensitive lawmaking has begun for commission secretaries—who draft bills—with upcoming sessions for general councillors and others. The 2025 report highlighted progress in women's institutional presence and family reconciliation, alongside gaps in legislative gender integration and participation tracking. The group plans to update the 2015 Equality Agreement in coming months.

Recent activities featured a conference by Nuria Varela, with an autumn event proposed featuring Constitutional Court president Joan Manel Abril on women's legal roles.