Passing and amending domestic violence laws in the P arliament . Experiences of an NGO

Regional Conference on Domestic Violence Legal Reform, Sofia,Bulgaria, February, 2008

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Passing and amending domestic violence laws in the Parliament.Experiences of an NGO

Inete Ielite,

Co-Chair,

Coalition for Gender Equality in Latvia,

Chair,

Children’s Forum of Latvia


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Aim of the presentation

To share experience and encourage NGO’s to take part in drafting legislation, provision of expertise and setting agenda for legislators


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Coalition for Gender Equality

Established in May, 2000 Founders - more than 70 organisations (non-

governmental, municipal, trade unions, crisis centres, research institutions un different groups of interests) and individual members

Board consists of 10 members Daily work carried out by the Secreariat


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The Aims of the Coalition for Gender Equality

To develop a better understanding of gender equality in Latvia and to disseminate this understanding throughout society;

To support state’s institutions in development and reaching the gender equality objectives that are set out in national laws and policies*;

To shape public opinion on gender equality, especially among the youth;

To monitor the realization of de facto gender equality in all spheres of life.

* Latvia is a monist country


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What Latvian NGO’s expect from cooperation with Parliament

Information about the state of the issue Opportunity to be listen to and to be

heard To provide expertise and information To submit proposals for legislation To change the law/ “keep an eye” on the

law To influence decisions Etc.


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Working methods with the Parliament

Targeting MP’s Information about concrete issues – for

political debates, participation in conferences, speaking to mass media

Letters “Open Letters” Invitations to take part in events -

seminars, conferences, delegations Inviting to address important events Meetings


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Working methods (continuation)

With Parliamentary Groups

Letters Meetings Preparing legislative proposals to

be signed


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Working methods

With Committees/

Subcommittees Participating in the meetings Preparing opinions/ adjudgments Drafting legislation proposals Participating in the working groups

drafting legislation


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Working methods (continuation)

With Committees/Subcommittees (cont.) Organising informative seminars Presenting results of researches Suggesting speakers (usually foreign

experts) Inviting to held meetings outside

parliament Joint meetings of committees and

subcommittees Setting agenda


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Methods to influence the process of legislation

Campaings Pickets Innovative forms Constitutional Court*

* Facilitating preparation of the application, preparing info campaing


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Methods to influence the process of legislation (cont.)


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What are the entry points? Identify “YOUR OWN”

committee/subcommittee Identify “YOUR OWN” MPs (by region,

by “common background” or the chairs) NOT to underestimate staff of the

Parliament (consultants, assistants, etc.) To assess own resources, and create

aliances, if necessary To find the easiest or tje optimal way to

address the issue* Choose the methods !* Help to set friendly mechanisms


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Approaching politicians...

Presenting the Gender Equality Award – representatives of women’s organisations and politicians


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When to start? A long ago - at the establishment

of an NGO When you have identified the

problem When you have resources and are

ready to make a committment When a law “is open”…


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Thank you!

Inete Ielite, Coalition for Gender EqualityValnu street 32 - 506, Riga LV-1050, LatviaE-mail: apvienība@ apvienība.lv, [email protected]: +371 949 3300

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Passing and amending domestic violence laws in the P arliament . Experiences of an NGO

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