PM Commends SADC Parliamentary Forum |
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Officially opening the 15th plenary assembly session of the SADC parliamentary forum at the National Convention Centre in Maseru on Monday, Mr. Mosisili encouraged the SADC forum to observe the forth-coming elections in other five SADC countries that are scheduled for 2004. With regard to transforming the SADC parliamentary forum into a regional parliament, Mr. Mosisili said his Majesty's government fully supports as it enhances the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). The Prime Minister said the region is loosing more people on AIDS related deaths than in any war that the SADC countries have fought. Thus, it is now time to come up with a war plan to fight HIV/AIDS in the region. He also said he strongly beliefs this scourge can and must be defeated. Speaking about gender, Mr. Mosisili commended the SADC parliamentary forum for achieving the 30 percent women representation as well as in their respective countries as stipulated in the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development that was signed by heads of states and governments in 1997. "Lesotho has not only achieved 30 percent of women representation but it is also one of few countries that has a woman Speaker in the national assembly," he added. The Prime Minister appealed to the Members of Parliament and Political Leaders to initiate gender motions in their respective parliaments and ensure that gender legislations are implemented at all levels. He called on ruling as well as opposition parties of all SADC countries to be the first to implement gender policies at their political party structures in order to show a good example to their governments. The Chairperson of the SADC Forum and Speaker of Lesotho National Assembly, Ms. Ntlhoi Motsamai said the full participation of women will not be achieved by accident or by chance and neither will it be achieved by magic nor wishful thinking, but it has to be a policy directed strategy. "Parliaments as custodians of democracy have the responsibility to advocate for and advance gender equality and to legislate and ensure that women participate fully in all spheres of life and consequently should ensure that all discriminatory laws are repealed urgently before the SADC deadline of 2005," she added. Ms. Motsamai challenged women to come out in large numbers as both candidates and voters to vote only for men and women who are gender sensitive. She said the forum coincides with the World AIDS Day and 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, which are major challenges that need a united front. She referred to The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's call where he appealed for a stronger political will to scale up efforts to combat the scourge. Expressing
the vote of thanks on behalf of the forum, the Speaker of National Assembly
of Zambia Mr. Amusaa Mwanamwamba said during the last year, he was a leader
of delegation leading 26 SADC parliamentarians in observing Lesotho's
general election that his delegation declared as "The SADC forum has since then followed the progress of Lesotho after election and found that the situation in Lesotho continue to remain peaceful and calm," said Mwanamwambwa. He also applauded Basotho and the government for their culture of peace that depict their maturity in a democratic stance. Among others the forum will deliberate and produce a draft protocol for the establishment of a SADC parliament and also elect a new leadership for the four standing committees of the forum. The 15th SADC parliamentary forum is attended by participants from 12 member countries of Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa and Swaziland. All countries are represented by members of parliament from ruling and opposition MPs. Other participants were Lesotho Government Ministers, Principal Secretaries, Members of Diplomatic Corps as well as senior government officials. The participants lighted candles and dedicated a minute to praying and remembering people who died with AIDS related diseases. The
Forum is scheduled to end on Friday. |
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| SOURCE: LENA |