26 March 2012, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia -- A two-day regional conference next month in Ulaanbaatar will help chart national strategies and plans to increase the level of political representation of women in Asia in which only 18 per cent of members of parliament are female.

Organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Committee on Gender Equality of the Government of Mongolia, the conference will draw on collective regional experiences to assist more than 13 countries in achieving their national commitments on improving women’s political involvement. The conference will take place from 3-4 April, Chinggis Khaan Hotel.

The regional event, Women’s Political Participation: Charting a path for political equality in Asia, will also explore electoral systems and special measures that can be taken to strengthen the participation of women in governance. The role of political parties in promoting empowerment of women and the steps that young women leaders can take toward politics will also be addressed.

More than 80 participants from North East and South East Asian countries are expected to take part in this event. Attendees will include Members of Parliament, officials from political parties in national and local parliaments, representatives of government ministries, civil society organizations involved with gender issues and politics, and UNDP officials.

Media are invited to attend the conference.

For more information, contact:

Jargalsaikhan.purevdorj@undp.org: 976-11-327585 /ext 195/, + 976 9913 5393
Cherie.hart@undp.org: +66 8 1 918 1564

Website: www.undp.mn/gender