Way forward to end violence against women
Radical rethink of policies, laws and approaches, Mbete said
THE International Women’s Conference held at Parliament this week unanimously adopted a declaration and will develop a plan of action to support initiatives to promote gender justice and socio-economic empowerment of women.
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete set the scene for the conference in her opening remarks on Tuesday.
She reflected on progress made in gender equality, but lamented the many systemic problems still remaining.
These now needed a radical rethink of policies, laws and approaches, she said.
On Wednesday, in her closing remarks, she urged conference delegates to task a small group to come up with an action plan to chart the way forward.
“Too many wonderful conferences end up being just beautiful memories,” Mbete said.
Presentations and deliberations included the main conference theme “women in the changing world of work” and proposals for innovative ways to ensure that women are fully absorbed into the economy.
Women’s economic empowerment in Africa also came under the spotlight, as did the impact of sexual harassment and violence against women.
Participants included the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum representatives, government ministers, the joint multiparty Women’s Caucus of the South African Parliament, Members of Parliament, business and international organisations, such as, Action Aid and the World Bank.
The role of legislatures and lawmakers, parliamentary oversight and more effective use of international instruments to break down barriers to gender equality was the focus of the closing session.
The declaration looks at the context in which the conference took place, its main conclusions about women’s status in the economy and inhibiting factors, such as, violence and sexual harassment, and activities Parliament could undertake to address structural and other barriers to women taking their full role in economic activity and in society at large.
Moloto Mothapo, Parliament