Scottish Parliament & Welsh Assembly

The devolved assemblies in Scotland and Wales are leading the way in ensuring that women are at the heart of decision making.

These two institurions were established in 1999. In the first elections, Labour used positive measures to ensure that women were well represented. As a result, women made up 37% of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and 41% of Welsh Assembly Members (AMs).

Positive measures also increased the number of women in Scotland and Wales in the 2003 elections. Women now make up 40% of MSPs in Scotland and exactly 50% of Welsh AMs. Wales has the only parliament in the world with equal numbers of women and men. There are more women than men in the cabinet in Wales, which also makes it unique in the world.

In the downloads box on the right hand side of this page you can download:

• Our briefing on women's representation, which includes sections on Scotland and Wales.
  
  
• Two press releases issues after the elections in Scotland and Wales in 2003.