During 2025–2026, female MNAs submitted 26 motions for discussion on matters of public importance. Only one was addressed by the House. Male MNAs submitted 19 such motions; four were addressed. The Gender Responsiveness Score (GRS) for this agenda category is 0.2 — the largest single-category disparity documented in the report.
How this is measured
The Gender Responsiveness Score is calculated by dividing the addressed rate of female MNAs’ agenda in a given category by the addressed rate of male MNAs’ agenda in the same category. An addressed rate is the proportion of submitted items that were debated, resolved, or formally responded to during the reporting year. A GRS of 1.0 indicates equal treatment. A GRS below 1.0 indicates that the House addressed female MNAs’ agenda in that category at a lower rate than equivalent submissions by male MNAs. Data are drawn from Orders of the Day and verbatim proceedings for all 84 sittings.
Why this matters in parliamentary terms
Motions for discussion on matters of public importance are one of the most direct mechanisms through which a backbench member can compel the House to debate an urgent national issue. Unlike questions which are directed at ministers and follow a structured format, these motions allow a member to set the subject of debate. When the addressed rate for female MNAs’ motions is one-tenth that of male MNAs’ motions, it means that female MNAs are effectively blocked from using this tool. The House is not responding to their requests to debate national issues. This is not a gap in submission effort — female MNAs submitted more such motions than male MNAs. It is a gap in institutional responsiveness.
Source: FAFEN Women Parliamentarians Performance Report 2025–2026, Table 8. Data period: 1 March 2025 – 28 February 2026.
