Tomorrow, the Regional Parliamentary Model Law Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) chaired by Hon. Leon Tumba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is scheduled to amongst others orientate new Members on the mandate of the Committee and to agree on priorities for 2021. The RPMLOC, composed of Chairpersons of the SADC-PF Standing Committees and the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus – chaired by Hon. Anne Marie Mbilambangu of the DRC, is mandated to monitor and evaluate progress by Member States in domesticating the SADC Model Laws such as the SADC-PF Model Laws for Elections, HIV/AIDS and Early Child Marriages.
On Sunday, 11 April, the Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment chaired by Hon. Anele Ndebele, from Zimbabwe, is scheduled to deliberate on enhancing regional economic integration through infrastructure development, focusing specifically on the case of one-stop border posts.
On Monday, 12 April, the Standing Committee on the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FARN), chaired by Hon. Tumba, is scheduled to deliberate on the role of Parliaments in harnessing domestic tourism in times of pandemics, focusing specifically on COVID-19.
On Tuesday, 13 April, the Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance and Human Rights, chaired by Hon. Jeronima Agostihno, from Mozambique, will consider prospects and challenges on the role of Parliament in protecting Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law in Southern Africa.
On Wednesday, 14 April, the Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and Youth Development, chaired by Hon. Peete Peete Ramoqai – from Lesotho, will also deliberate on the burden of unpaid care and domestic work in Southern Africa within the context of gender inequality.
On Thursday, 15 April there will be a Joint Session of SADC-PF Standing Committees and the RWPC which will deliberate on the urgency of continued investments in eradicating child marriage within the context of COVID-19, guided by the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriages and Protecting those already in Marriage which was adopted by the SADC-PF in 2016. The Joint Sitting will also consider the role of Parliamentarians in advancing access to Covid Vaccines, Medicines and Diagnostics.
On Friday, 16 April it will be the turn of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes, chaired by Hon. Bertha Ndebele, from Malawi, to deliberate on how the Committee can enhance its role in the fight against sexual and reproductive health and rights infringements and HIV/AIDS.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
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Enquiries: Modise Kabeli +27 81 715 9969
