This dimension concerns the mechanisms by which gender concerns are mainstreamed across parliamentary processes and outputs, with the aim of achieving gender equality and preventing discrimination on the basis of gender.

This dimension concerns parliament’s practices relating to impact assessments, which are a process of identifying the future consequences of a current or proposed action. Impact assessments are an important element of evidence-based law-making, providing for a systematic and critical analysis of the positive and negative effects of proposals for laws.

This dimension concerns parliament’s role in protecting and promoting human rights, and in helping to realize the entire spectrum of political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights. Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. fulfils this role by:

This dimension concerns parliament’s role in implementing the 2030 Agenda Agenda The chronological list of all items to be discussed at a formal meeting (including plenary and committee meetings). for Sustainable Development. By engaging with the SDGs, parliaments help to respond to the needs of their country’s citizens and of the planet as a whole.

This dimension concerns the manner in which parliament responds to policy issues emerging outside of medium- or long-term planning. These are typically unforeseen issues or developments that can attract massive public attention and become matters of common concern. An emerging policy issue can be a critical event or situation, such as a natural disaster, a threat to democracy or a communicable disease outbreak. It can also be an issue that is less critical but still emerges in an unforeseen way and requires an urgent parliamentary response.

This dimension is about the ways in which parliament and MPs listen to and respond to concerns raised by members of the public. The public – whether individually or as groups of citizens – should be able to bring matters of concern to parliament and feel confident that their input will be given appropriate consideration. Being responsive to public concerns is a key element of the representative function.

This dimension concerns provisions and arrangements for media access to the parliamentary premises. The media has a special role in democratic societies in reporting on parliament’s activities.

This dimension concerns ensuring that persons with disabilities are able to access both the parliamentary premises and information about parliament. Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. needs to ensure that it is accessible to all groups in society.

This dimension concerns the possibility for members of the public to have access to the parliamentary premises and to observe parliamentary proceedings. The openness of parliament to the public is of both symbolic and practical importance. It shapes the way in which citizens think of their parliament and interact with it.

Members of the public should be allowed and encouraged to access all parliamentary venues, including the parliamentary building, the plenary chamber(s) and committee meeting rooms, as well as events organized on or off the parliamentary premises.

This dimension concerns parliamentary outreach, which typically focuses on creating direct contact between parliament and citizens through activities either on or off the parliamentary premises, such as school visits, open days, parliamentary weeks and mobile parliament events.

Many parliaments have adopted a dedicated outreach policy or strategy and annual plans, or have made outreach a part of their overall communication strategy. Effective outreach requires sufficient human and financial resources, including dedicated parliamentary staff to plan and organize activities.