Brunei Darussalam's commitment in empowering the participation of women in political leadership continues to be strengthened through the National Parliamentary Dialogue. The dialogue acts as an interactive platform that gathered members of the Legislative Council, community agencies, civil community and regional partners in the effort to support the role of women in leadership and policy making. Jointly organised by the Legislative Council and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, AIPA, in collaboration with U-N Women and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the dialogue took place at the Dewan Majlis Building, Department of State Councils, 18th June morning.

The dialogue included speeches by Yang  Berhormat  Dayang  Hajah  Safiah  binti Sheikh  Haji  Abd  Salam,  Member of the Legislative Coouncil; Her Excellency Dayang  Siti  Rozaimeriyanty  binti  Dato  Seri  Laila  Jasa  Haji Abdul  Rahman,  Secretary General of AIPA;  Dayang  Norul  Huda Mohamed  Rashid, UN Women Regional Policy Advisor; and Dayang  Hajah Nor  Ashikin  binti  Haji  Johari,  Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The speeches stressed on the joint aspiration to expand the participation of women in the decision making process. During the dialogue's first session, representatives from UN Women, ASEAN Secretariat, Legislative Council and member of the Republic of Indonesia Parliament discussed women's political participation from the global and regional aspects. Also touched upon was the need to utilise the role of parliamentary institutions.