UK Parliament seeks global first with White Ribbon accreditation

The United Kingdom parliament is set to become the first legislature in the world to achieve White Ribbon accreditation on Tuesday. This pioneering status marks a formal commitment to transforming the institution’s culture to better prevent violence against women. The accreditation process requires participating organizations to adopt a three-year plan that outlines specific actions to address gender-based violence and improve safety for those within the legislative building.

The initiative follows a cross-party campaign spearheaded by Emily Darlington, the Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central. Her efforts were supported by Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle and various members of parliamentary staff. Under the approved plan, MPs and other workers may be required to undergo criminal record checks before they are issued with security passes. Additionally, the scheme is expected to introduce mandatory anti-harassment training for all personnel.

While the full details of the strategy have not yet been publicly released, officials anticipate the inclusion of bystander training. This program aims to teach staff and politicians how to identify and respond to instances of harassment effectively. The plan also proposes establishing higher behavioral standards for both MPs and peers. Political parties may be asked to sign an agreement ensuring that new members of parliament complete a criminal record check prior to receiving their working passes.

Parliament has frequently been criticized for a culture dominated by sexism and harassment. The environment is often described as male-dominated, with strict hierarchies and limited human resources assistance, particularly for those who work directly for elected officials. Female MPs and staff have noted that long and unsocial working hours, combined with the presence of multiple bars on the parliamentary estate, exacerbate these issues.

The scale of the problem was highlighted in 2018 following a series of reports on predatory behavior. A survey conducted at that time found that nearly 20 percent of those in parliament had experienced or witnessed sexual harassment. A specialist hotline established to handle complaints about what was termed the Pestminster culture received hundreds of calls. A subsequent study in 2023 revealed that more than two-thirds of female MPs had witnessed sexist behavior within the institution.

The White Ribbon movement originated in Canada, growing out of national efforts to combat violence against women. The associated day is marked on 6 December, which commemorates the 1989 murder of 14 women at a university in Quebec by a man who stated he hated feminism. Accreditation is granted to organizations that commit to a three-year action plan aimed at preventing violence against women.

Emily Darlington emphasized that the place where national laws are shaped should also reflect national values. She acknowledged that the UK parliament has not always lived up to this responsibility, describing it as a boys' club for three centuries that has not fully adapted to the presence of women. However, she viewed this accreditation as a significant step toward creating a safe and welcoming environment for women to work, visit, and seek election.

The plan has received support from politicians across the political spectrum. Ben Obese-Jecty, a Conservative MP and shadow minister, described the move as hugely positive. He stated that ending gender-based violence against women and girls is a cause that the nation must face up to. Josh Babarinde, the Liberal Democrat MP and party president, also expressed his pride in standing alongside colleagues in this critical endeavor. He stressed the need for all members of parliament to continue challenging violence against women and girls in all its forms.