New report details parliamentarians' plans for legislative change  

Former Prime Minister, Baroness May of Maidenhead opened the Seminar

The UK Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA UK) has published two new reports on its Legislative Strengthening Seminar to Address Gender-Based Violence and Modern Slavery in Supply Chains.  

The seminar, which took place between 22-24 October, was designed to enhance skills among international legislators and officials so that they may more effectively introduce or strengthen legislation to address forced labour and violence against women and girls.  

These goals support the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (also known as the Sustainable Development Goals ‘SDGs’) which targets the total elimination of these crimes. Despite the global commitments, estimates predict that as many as 50 million people are living in modern slavery and that one in three women experiences violence due to their gender.  

Recognising the need to take further action, over 50 members of parliaments and legislative officials from 17 Commonwealth countries travelled to Westminster to take part in the seminar, which was funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. A dozen UK parliamentarians also attended, including former Prime Minister Theresa May also attended. 

Launching the Seminar, Baroness May said: “The reality we face though is that we have introduced legislation across the world and yet the number of people in slavery is increasing. That is why we must redouble our efforts.” 

The reports published today detail the key discussions held between legislators across the three days, including approaches to scrutinising, developing and amending legislation, as well as more specific policy areas focuses.  

In particular, the seminar promoted peer-to-peer learning between parliamentarians, providing a forum for legislative success to be shared across the Commonwealth. It also facilitated exchange between parliamentarians and key stakeholders, such as businesses, civil society organisations, charities and academics.  

Toward the end of the seminar, parliamentarians applied the week’s learnings to developing comprehensive new action plans outlining legislative proposals and the key milestones and timeframes by which they would measure success. They also called upon their leaders to take “further action” on these issues in an open letter signed while the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting took place in Samoa.  

With the reports now published, delegates will be able to refer back to this information as they continue to advance their legislative proposals and champion these issues in their respective parliaments. The reports will also be shared with parliamentarians who were unable to join the seminar, providing a long-term asset for those seeking to address gender-based violence and modern slavery in supply chains.  

You can download the full report for the modern slavery in supply chains programme here. 

The report for the gender-based violence programme can be accessed here. 

The report on the gender-based violence programme

The report on the modern slavery in supply chains programme