This event is one of many activities designed to follow up the launch of the IPU Report "Gender-sensitive parliaments: A global review of good practice" (2011). As part of its research on gender-sensitive parliaments, the IPU, in collaboration with International IDEA, conducted a regional study in Latin America and national studies in Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru.

The purpose of the regional debate is to bring together parliaments and parliamentarians from the countries that participated in the studies and give them an opportunity to exchange views, compare experiences and share lessons learned on how their parliaments are adapting their structures, working methods, mechanisms and work to meet the expectations and fulfil the interests of both women and men.