Proposed new motion to prevent insults directed at women MPs in Parliament

2026-02-07 - 04:28

The Parliamentary Women Members’ Caucus has submitted a request to the Speaker to amend the Standing Orders of Parliament in order to prevent conduct or statements by Members of Parliament that subject women MPs to verbal abuse or insults within the Chamber. The Parliamentary Communications Department stated that the request was submitted with the signatures of members of the caucus, including Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj. The statement notes that, in recent times, a tendency has been observed whereby verbal abuse is increasingly directed at women Members of Parliament, and that the challenge posed by such statements is not merely one that targets individuals. The caucus emphasised that this constitutes a challenge to the sovereignty of the people, as well as to women’s right to express their views and to participate in politics. Furthermore, the Communication Department of the Parliament said the statement points out that such conduct sets a negative precedent for the active participation of women in politics across society as a whole. Accordingly, the Parliamentary Women Members’ Caucus has proposed that both male and female Members of Parliament should refrain from any conduct or statements that subject women MPs to verbal abuse or insults. The proposal states that this can be implemented under the section on “Discipline in Parliament” within the Standing Orders. In this context, the caucus has requested the Speaker to amend the Standing Orders by incorporating a new Standing Order that would enable due consideration of such matters and the taking of appropriate action.