UK Parliament Becomes First Legislature to Gain White Ribbon Accreditation

The UK Parliament became the first legislature in the world to receive White Ribbon accreditation on Tuesday, committing to a three-year action plan to eliminate violence against women and girls. Led by Labour MP Emily Darlington and supported by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, the initiative seeks to reform a parliamentary culture frequently described as sexist and toxic.

Proposed reforms include mandatory criminal record checks for new MPs before they are issued security passes, alongside the implementation of bystander and anti-harassment training. The move follows reports indicating that more than two-thirds of female MPs have witnessed sexist behavior within the institution. Darlington noted that the parliament had been a "boys’ club for 300 years" and has not always lived up to its responsibilities.

The accreditation process, which originated from a 1991 movement in Canada, has garnered cross-party support from Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs. Supporters characterize the plan as a critical step toward ensuring the House of Commons is a safe and welcoming environment for women to work, visit, and be elected to.