Some parts in Bill 10 are progressive, says NGOCC

BILL 10 contains some progressive provisions which are aimed at enhancing the participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities, the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has observed.

NGOCC board chairperson, Mary Mulenga, said in a statement that therefore, as Parliament resumes sitting today, there was need for consensus building with regard to the Constitutional Amendment Bill which has created discontent among various stakeholders.

She said the organisation was concerned that women's participation in politics still remained a tokenism approach rather than a conscious conviction by all political players that women were equal partners in development.

Ms Mulenga also noted that there were a number of proposed amendments in

Bill 10 that were very contentious, including the provision for Deputy Ministers, which even the Patriotic Front did not support.

"It is NGOCC's considered view that Bill 10 in its current form, lacks the standards of meeting the key fundamental principles of constitutionalism, especially, in terms of enhancing citizen's rights," she said.

She said the constitution reform should be guided by the broad principles of inclusiveness and enhanced participation of all citizens, the promotion and upholding of public interest.

The reform, she added, should promote equity and equality and guarantee the state's commitment to accountability and transparency.

Ms Mulenga said her organisation did not support Bill 10 in its current form and urged its withdrawal given that the process had not taken into account the people's aspirations.