About 1,000 women who are members of the MPP took part in a forum called “Women for Development – 2011” in the Government House on Friday and Saturday.

They discussed issues facing society and Mongolia’s development, and decided to deliver their recommendations to MPP managing officials, the Government, and to related state organizations. They also discussed the MPP’s platform for the next election.
The women delegates called for the quota of women MPs in the draft election law to be raised from 15 percent to 20 percent.

Deputy Minister for Justice and Internal Affairs V.Udval said the women discussed family, education, health, employment, and political participation issues. V.Udval said increasing the quota of women is a crucial issue, because the Millennium Development Goals call for Parliament to be 30 percent female by 2015. Right now the election law includes no quota, and V.Udval said the MPP women are focusing on 20 percent as a first step.

Lawyer Kh.Oyuntsetseg said the women exchanged opinions on policies and goals, and issued recommendations. Also discussed was the activity of women’s organizations in the first units and local settlements. Kh.Oyuntsetseg said women lead in many sectors in the country, but have very little power at the decision-making level in politics. She said the law on gender equality is a good step, but it won’t take effect until 2013.