Day 3 of the Westminster Workshop on Gender Sensitive Scrutiny
Published 20 June 2019
Day 3 of the Westminster Workshop on Gender Sensitive Scrutiny focused on mainstreaming gender sensitive scrutiny of legislation and budgets - from theory to practice.
Effective Questioning
Kate Faragher of Bespoke Skills spoke about the importance of preparation, effective questioning and team work when addressing witnesses during committee sessions. Delegates explored best approaches to asking questions, including using clear and specific language, and ordering questions and follow up questions effectively.
Methods for answering difficult questions were also explored, including structuring key messages with the 'Rule of 3s', the power of opposites and one liners.
Kate Faragher of Bespoke Skills spoke about the importance of preparation, effective questioning and team work when addressing witnesses during committee sessions. Delegates explored best approaches to asking questions, including using clear and specific language, and ordering questions and follow up questions effectively.
Methods for answering difficult questions were also explored, including structuring key messages with the 'Rule of 3s', the power of opposites and one liners.
A live streamed evidence session conducted by the Women and Equalities Committee was scrutinised remotely by delegates. A UK clerk facilitated the session and illustrated the proceedings with practical tips and explanations.
The final session of the Workshop explored knowledge gained and shared. Key pledges from delegates included establishing Women and Equalities Committees, working closely with colleagues to establish gender sensitive scrutiny of legislation and budgets, and commissioning Gender Sensitive Audits in delegates' legislatures.
In Conversation with Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, Chair of the UK Treasury Select Committee
Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP spoke about her role as the Chair of the UK Treasury Select Committee which scrutinises expenditure, administration and policy of HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs and associated public bodies, including the Bank of England.
Nicky was formerly Minister for Women and Equalities before her role as Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and she is a great supporter of gender budgeting. Her Committee has lobbied HM Revenue and Customs to carry out Gender Impact Analysis of their policies, including changes to income tax banding. Her Committee continues to press HM Treasury to integrate gender sensitive scrutiny into their policy making, including in the annual Budget.
The committee exercise took place with Hon Fatoumatta Njai MP of The Gambia chairing proceedings. Volunteer committee members questioned witnesses about measures to protect employees from sexual harassment in the workplace. The committee exercise was a simulation of committee proceedings, with the addition of freeze-framed segments and analysis of questioning techniques.
Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP spoke about her role as the Chair of the UK Treasury Select Committee which scrutinises expenditure, administration and policy of HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs and associated public bodies, including the Bank of England.
Nicky was formerly Minister for Women and Equalities before her role as Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and she is a great supporter of gender budgeting. Her Committee has lobbied HM Revenue and Customs to carry out Gender Impact Analysis of their policies, including changes to income tax banding. Her Committee continues to press HM Treasury to integrate gender sensitive scrutiny into their policy making, including in the annual Budget.
Committee Exercise
The committee exercise took place with Hon Fatoumatta Njai MP of The Gambia chairing proceedings. Volunteer committee members questioned witnesses about measures to protect employees from sexual harassment in the workplace. The committee exercise was a simulation of committee proceedings, with the addition of freeze-framed segments and analysis of questioning techniques.
Pledges
The final session of the Workshop explored knowledge gained and shared. Key pledges from delegates included establishing Women and Equalities Committees, working closely with colleagues to establish gender sensitive scrutiny of legislation and budgets, and commissioning Gender Sensitive Audits in delegates' legislatures.
To request about the Westminster Workshop on Gender Sensitive Scrutiny, please email Elorm Haligah at haligahe@parliament.uk. To find our more about CPA UK's work to support representative parliaments around the Commonwealth, please click here.
Interactive Committee Exercise
Discussion during a Workshop session