INTRODUCTION

A comprehensive review, concluded in 2017, addressed both gender mainstreaming within the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s policies and activities and the gender balance within the organisation. Since 2017, as mandated by the Standing Committee, the Secretary General presents annual, public updates on these matters.

The report addresses progress towards gender mainstreaming and towards a more representative gender balance in 2020. It also previews related 2021 Assembly activities.

2020 saw much improved coverage of gender-related topics in the Assembly’s programme of work after fairly limited coverage in 2019. Overall progress towards a more gender-balanced Assembly membership has been made in the past year, notably concerning the overall share of women in national delegations (18.8%), the number of delegations led by women (7), the share of women participating in the annual session (26%), and the composition of new delegations following parliamentary elections (four have increased their share of women).

For the first time, the Assembly elected a Bureau which includes a majority of women in 2020.