Staff Writer

Members of Parliament from the SADC Region attending the just ended 42 ^nd Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Windhoek, Namibia have unanimously adopted a motion strongly condemning the reported slave trade of asylum seekers and migrants in Libya.

A July 2017 video clip that went viral showing an auctioneer apparently auctioning off migrants at USD400 apiece has incensed the region's lawmakers, prompting them to take a stand.

South African MP Dr Santosh Vinita Kalyan moved a motion through which Parliamentarians from 13 of the 14 SADC Member States demanded decisive action from the African Union and other regional economic communities to bring the perpetrators "of such heinous crimes" inside and outside Libya to justice.

Kalyan described as "disgraceful" reports of African asylum seekers and migrants being sold into slavery in Libya as they try to reach European shores. She enjoined the SADC PF Plenary "to strongly deplore any form of modern day slavery and human trafficking, particularly of women and girls".

Findings by the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights ascribe slavery in transit countries such as Libya to the European Union's efforts to curb migration and tighten borders, without providing alternative safe and legal paths for migrants and refugees.

ANTI-SLAVE TRADE: South African MP Dr Santosh Vinita Kalyan.

Kalyan condemned the emergence of what she described as modern-day slavery in which migrants fleeing corruption, oppression and poverty were trying to reach Europe via Libya, only to fall into the clutches of smugglers and being subjected to heinous abuses. Reports say the smugglers extort a large amount of money from the illegal migrants in order to get them across the Mediterranean Sea. Conservative estimates put the number of migrants that have drowned while attempting to cross the treacherous sea at 3000.

Kalyan said Libyan coast guards were reportedly arresting the migrants and taking them to Libyan detention centers where many have been raped, beaten and tortured. Others were being reportedly set upon by smugglers and sold off as either work slaves or sex slaves.

"The EU is complicit in violating the human rights of those migrants and they turn their heads the other way when the coast guard returns them to Libya. Finding a solution is indeed complex. What is very, very sad that this is a brother upon brother crime," the tough-talking MP said.

Libya is party to the UN Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery of 1956. The largely lawless North African country has ratified the African Charter on Human and People's Rights of 1986 that expressly prohibits slavery.

Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals requires the UN Member States to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.

The motion generated passionate debate and widespread support.

Mauritius MP Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed told the Plenary that the reported slave trade in Libya had been raised in the Mauritius Parliament where opposition and governing political parties strongly condemned it.

MP Ally Ally Saleh from the United Republic of Tanzania said it was "saddening" that slave trade had reared its ugly head in Africa, centuries after it was officially abolished. Noting that Zanzibar was a focal point on slave trade a few centuries ago, Ally Saleh blamed the United Nations and the "imperialistic world" for the reported ongoing slave trade in Libya.

"Libya has been a target of the United Nations and the imperialistic world for a long time. They first pushed Libya into being a failed state …Libya is a conduit for most African people seeking greener pastures in the north. It is very funny that now the western world is coming out with a marshal plan. I don't know if it will succeed because probably we are reaching a stage whereby not only Libya but some other people back this notion of slavery in another form," he said.

Dr Jessie Kabwila, an MP from Malawi who chairs the Regional Women's Parliamentary Caucus of SADC PF, called for a media strategy to amplify the SADC Region's indignation over the reported slave trade in Libya.

Swaziland's His Royal Highness Jomo Mfanawemakhosi Dhlamini, also an MP, said what was happening in Libya was tantamount to a vote of no confidence on Africa.

He said: "Have we not failed to do the right thing? Why should somebody subject themselves to that situation? The lack of opportunity, education and so on eventually leads to people subjecting themselves to this. I condemn the slave trade. Africa must look within. Africa must stop blaming others. Africa must be honest with itself. Have we done the right thing with all (resources) that we have? I don't see Europeans migrating to Africa and risking their lives. I don't see Americans, maybe Asians."

Dhlamini said the fact that people were being sold to go and dig was proof that the majority of the people who were being sold "have no particular skill, so they find themselves in that situation".

He added: "Please, let's once again organize ourselves. We have enough resources… Without proper education, there is no hope. Let us reenergize ourselves to invest in education because if people are unskilled and uneducated, they will always be ready to do anything."

Zimbabwe's Dr Samuel Mukanduri, MP, said: "This is a very sad story… Nowadays we sell goods on the market but in Libya, we hear stories that people instead of goods, human beings are being sold like goods. Like tomatoes! Why? It is because we have let the imperialists devastate our economies. People are going to Europe because they know that our resources have been looted in Africa and they want to go and benefit from their sweat."

He called for political systems that create economic opportunities that benefit people.

"We should not let people loot. Those people in positions should desist from corrupt activities because this will disadvantage the citizens of our countries."

Another MP from Swaziland, Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu said what was happening in Libya was symptomatic of retrogression.

"It looks like we are moving back centuries. This is a trade that used to happen many years ago and definitely it doesn't have a place in our world today. It deserves to be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Why would the world move back when we are supposed to be moving forward? It means there is something seriously wrong that we have to address," he opined.

He appealed to the African Union, the EU and the UN to come on board "so that this modern-day slavery is fought with everything at our disposal".

South Africa's Ahmed Shaik-Emam called on all MPs to support the motion and "condemn these barbaric acts of enslavement (and) call for action against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes."

Shaik-Emam slammed the UN and the AU for failing to deal with the challenges in Libya.

"Not long ago, Libya used to provide free housing, free healthcare and free education… but because of what the west has done in Libya, today we have a crisis. But having said that, it doesn't mean that if they have a challenge they must behave in the way that they are behaving and abuse innocent people and violate their human rights."

Namibia's MP Hon. Sophia Swartz called for a clear understanding of what has prompted the slave trade in Libya.

"Each country, what is going on in your country? If you are a political leader, see that people on the ground benefit," she said, adding that foreign direct investment must seek to empower local people.

"If we are not doing those things (our people) will run away looking for greener pastures and this will go on and on. As MPs, we have an oversight function and must ensure that investors who come enter into deals that benefit ordinary people as well."

MPs from Mozambique and Angola also supported the motion and called for urgent steps to halt the reported flagrant violation of the rights of vulnerable migrants.

Staff Writer

Parliamentarians and other stakeholders from Southern Africa have welcomed the draft SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and protecting those already in Marriage, saying it is a giant step forward in a region working to promote the rights of women and girls.

In separate interviews, they spoke about their pride in being part of a regional process that is developing a law with so much commonality that it can be easily adapted or adopted by SADC Member States as they confront the phenomenon that has been widely condemned.

11^th May 2016, Johannesburg, South Africa, OR Thabo, Southern Sun Hotel.

1. Context of Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM)

Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me to acknowledge that a cocktail dinner is not a platform for speeches especially when we have three days dedicated to intensive deliberations on a variety of subjects. I will therefore not want to spoil your dinner but it is however important that we highlight the context of this working dinner cocktail.

The failure by the developed countries (the G8) to uphold the development aid pledges they made at the 31^st G8 Summit held on the 6^th to the 8^th July 2015 at Gleneagles, Scotland in the United Kingdom and the resultant dwindling aid require that more focus be put on domestic resource mobilization (DRM) initiatives. Resource scarcity for developing countries have been exacerbated by the global recession which many economies are still to recover from and recently the migration crisis which now has preoccupied the donor countries.

Africa and all of the developing countries should now explore alternative means of how we will finance our development needs. Such alternatives should primarily explore available sources of domestic resources, whatever they may be. By definition, 'Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) refers to the generation of savings from domestic resources (both public and private) and their allocation to economically and socially productive investments.'

Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) is important to African countries because it is potentially the:-

a. biggest source of long-term financing for sustainable development and an important source for government to provide for public goods and services;

b. most stable and predictable source of revenue which hold the potential to strengthen fiscal institutions and long-term fiscal planning,

c. avenue for exiting from long-term aid dependency and in turn increase local ownership of the development processes and outcomes.

Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In contrast to mobilizing external resources (through Foreign Direct Investment, aid, trade, and debt relief), DRM offers greater domestic policy ownership and greater coherence with domestic needs. It does not suffer from the disadvantages associated with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and foreign aid, which are tied to the objectives of foreign investors and donors.

2. Enhancing the Role of Parliament in Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM)

I wish to bring it to the attention of this august gathering to the fact that AWEPA and the SADC Parliamentary Forum onTuesday, 10^th November 2015, here in Johannesburg, South Africasuccessfully held a Regional Parliamentary Seminar on SADC Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) through Taxation for Development. Allow me to acknowledge some of the important collaborative activities the SADC Parliamentary Forum has undertaken with AWEPA. These include:

i. A Parliamentary Program on Aid Effectiveness

ii. Mobilizing Parliaments for NEPAD

iii. A joint Session of SADC PF Committees held in May 2015, and many more.

Today's dinner cocktail is meant to continue parliamentary dialogue we had and it will serve to lay the foundations for the formulation of a Parliamentary Curriculum on Domestic Resource Mobilization for SADC Parliaments.

Without predicting the curriculum outline and presentation we will receive, I trust that the curriculum will sufficiently cover relevant issues such as:-

A. the important role of taxation in Domestic Resource Mobilization(DRM)

B. effective budgeting and budget oversight

C. the value of maximising income from the extractive industries (mining and our fishery resources);

D. legislative measures to ensure the realization of the objectives of DRM

3. Conclusion: Thank You

Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I, on behalf of the SADC Parliamentary Forum and indeed on my own behalf, wish to profoundly thank AWEPA for this dinner cocktail and more importantly for the collaboration which is meant to develop a training manual for SADC Parliamentarians on the Role of Parliament in Domestic Resource Mobilization. The Resource person in our midst to enlighten us in detail on this important topic is highly appreciated. It is therefore my fervent hope that we, through the collaboration, will find resources to roll out the training manual which will be developed.

I Thank You

EZULWINI, SWAZILAND - All the 14 member Parliaments of the SADC Parliamentary Forum are represented at the 39^th Plenary Assembly Session of the regional body which officially got underway on Wednesday here.

This is the second time that the Plenary Assembly Session is being held in the Kingdom of Swaziland, the first being in 2004.

Mr Sheuneni Kurasha, the Programme Manager: Democracy & Governance as well as Parliamentary Business Focal Person at SADC PF said the fact that all member states are being represented demonstrates the value they place not just in SADC PF but also in SADC regional integration agenda.

He said the Plenary had begun flawlessly.

"The sub-committees of the Executive Committee met on Monday, including the Parliamentary Business Sub-Committee which considered the parliamentary business for the 39^th Plenary Assembly. This was followed by a meeting of the Executive Committee which met on Tuesday and among other things, approved the business for the Plenary Assembly Session," Kurasha said.

In welcome remarks to the delegates who include Speakers of National Parliaments and Members of Parliament, the Speaker in the House of Assembly of Swaziland, Hon Themba Msibi said his country had benefitted immensely from being part of the deliberative body.

"Swaziland has always been a full member of the Forum and has benefitted in many ways including from many workshops for Members of Parliament and we cannot be more grateful," the Speaker said.

The chairperson of the Regional Women's Parliamentary Forum Hon Francisca Domingos Tomas from Mozambique hailed Swaziland for fighting discrimination of women. She said Swaziland afforded equal opportunities to all her citizens including women, some of who now occupy very senior positions in different spheres. Hon Domingos held out the example of the long serving President of the Senate of Swaziland, who is a woman.

The Secretary General of the SADC PF, Dr Esau Chiviya said the theme for the Plenary Assembly Session provided and opportunity for National Parliaments of the SADC Region to "take stock of the human rights situation in the SADC Region in general in general and the rights of women in particular."

He added: "Parliaments will examine their own centrality the centrality of human rights in law making and at the same time explore strategies for meaningful collaboration."

His Majesty King Mswati III, who was represented by the Acting Prime Minister, Senator Paul Dlamini, officially opened the Plenary Assembly Session whose theme is strengthening the Role of Parliament in Protecting and Realisation of Human Rights in Southern Africa, on Wednesday.

The King took the opportunity to explain the country's democratic system - Monarchical Democracy - which he said had been misunderstood in some quarters.

"Monarchical Democracy is defined as the marriage between the monarchy and the ballot box. The ballot box is the will of the people who vote for an individual, who will provide advice and counsel to the King and country in a manner that ensures transparency and accountability. It is a combination of power with empowerment. It means that the Monarch of Eswatini guarantees the shared power of the people," the King said.

He added: "To those who proclaim that democracy is the answer to all nations and their development, we present ourselves as a testimony to a new democratic ideology that works… the Kingdom of Eswatini's position is that it believes in democracy as an idea but not as an ideal because things that are ideal to you may not be ideal to other people."

Kurasha said among the main highlights of this Plenary Assembly Session is the expected adoption of the Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Those Already in Marriage in Southern Africa.

The law, which was developed in response to the decision by the 35^th Plenary Assembly Session held in Mauritius in June 2014, will be a historic milestone by Parliamentarians from the Region in the quest to end the scourge of child marriages bedevilling many countries in the Region.

Other issues to be considered include committee reports by various SADC PF standing committees as well as motions by various Members of Parliament. They include: a motion on the Need for SADC PF to Develop a Model Law on Elections to Facilitate the Domestication of SADC Principles and Guidelines for Democratic Elections by Member States (mover: Hon. Maneesh Gobin, MP, Mauritius); motion on the Prevalence of the Dual Epidemic of Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes around the World (mover: Hon. Ahmed Munzoor Shaik Emam, MP, South Africa); motion on Combating Hunger and Poverty in Southern Africa (mover: Hon Paulo Angola); motion on the Need for Integrated Energy Infrastructure and Security as a Means for Regional Development with Specific Attention to the Inga Dam Project (mover: Hon. Stevens Mokgalapa, MP, South Africa); and motion on the Importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) In the Development of the SADC Region (mover: Hon. Siphosezwe Masango, MP, South Africa).

Other motions include : motion on the Negative Impact of Poor Service Delivery on Women as People Responsible for Care Work at the Household (mover: Hon. Masefele Morutoa, MP, South Africa); motion on The Need For SADC Member States Expedite The Signing And Implementation Of The Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement Aimed At Creating An Enlarged Market Extending From Cape To Cairo (mover: Dr Samson Mukanduri, MP, Zimbabwe).

Approximately 190 delegates including observers from other regional and international organisations that SADC PF collaborates with are attending the Plenary Assembly Session which ends on Sunday.

Venue: Royal Swazi Sun

Date: Thursday 2 June 2016 (15:00-17:00Hrs)

WELCOME REMARKS BY HON. JOSEPH NJOBVUYALEMA, VICE PRESIDENT, SADC-PF

- Hon. Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the SADC Parliaments,

-Hon. Leaders of Delegations,

-Hon. Members of Parliament from the various SADC Parliaments,

-Hon. Ministers here present,

- Ms. Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UN Women Representative for South Africa Multi-Country Office,

- SADC-PF Secretary General, Dr Esau Chiviya

- Invited Observers and Resource Persons,

-Staff from the SADC National Parliaments,

-SADC PF Secretariat Staff,

-Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to extend to you all a very warm welcome on behalf of the Southern Africa Development Community - Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) and to say how grateful we are to UN Women and the SADC-PF Secretariat for convening this SADC-PF Sign up event to UN Women's HeForShe Solidarity Campaign for gender equality.

Let me begin by pointing out that one of SADC-PF's Gender Program strategic objective is to assist the National Parliaments within the SADC Region to implement and domesticate the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and various other United Nations Conventions and Resolutions that seek to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.

At SADC-PF, we recognize that beyond the intrinsic value of gender equality and women's empowerment, investing in women's rights and gender equality is critical to our socio-economic advancement, political stability and development. In this regard, we at SADC-PF work with our National Parliaments and the SADC-PF Gender Programme to sharpen parliamentarians' gender analysis and planning skills with the aim of promoting sustainable development and eradicating feminized poverty in the Region.

Honorable Members, ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me briefly to introduce the SADC-PF Gender Program of which the Regional Women's Parliamentary Caucus and Gender Equality, Women's Advancement and Youth Development are component parts. The Gender Program, established in 1997, is one of SADC-PF's longest standing programs. The original mandate, which remains today, is to work with and support Members of Parliament in order to eradicate gender inequalities in the SADC Region thereby realizing the SADC Gender and Development Declaration of 1997.

Through the RWPC, the Program has successfully lobbied various SADC Member States to sign the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. It has also lobbied for equal and equitable representation of women in political, administrative and decision-making positions: this is known as the 50:50 Gender Parity Goal of the SADC Gender Protocol.

Within the SADC Region, as SADC-PF, we continue to promote accountability to the Maputo protocol of the African Union and we are leveraging on the AU declaration for 2016 as the year of Human Rights, with particular focus on the Rights of women.

Honorable Members,

The recently approved Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5 on "Achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls", and the other gender-related targets, have opened up new opportunities to re-connect, re-commit, and mobilize political will and public support for women's economic empowerment. The SDGs give us an opportune space and time to influence the governance processes so that gender equality is integrated meaningfully in our policies and their implementation. We need to leverage on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to change the game for gender equality, women's empowerment and women's rights. At SADC level with support from UN Women, we are finalizing the review of the SADC-PF protocol in line with the SDGs.

We will also be working with our governments to promote accountability to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW60) Resolution on HIV, Women and Girls.

Let me congratulate UN Women for this great initiative aimed at bringing boys and men to the center of the global fight for women's rights and gender equality. The HeForShe movement challenges us to take action at both the institutional and personal level.

In concluding, Honorable members of parliaments, Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you to these sign up event and look forward to fruitful deliberations on how we can move this initiative in our countries.

Thank You, Merci, Obrigado, Siyabonga, obrigato

Venue: Royal Swazi Sun

Date: Thursday 2 June 2016 (15:00-17:00Hrs)

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY DR. ESAU CHIVIYA, SADC-PF SECRETARY GENERAL

- Hon. Vice President of the SADC-PF Hon Joseph Njobvuyalema

- Hon. Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the SADC Parliaments,

- -Hon. Leaders of Delegations,

- Hon. Members of Parliament from the various SADC Parliaments,

- Hon. Ministers here present,

- Ms. Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UN Women Representative for South Africa Multi-Country Office,

- Invited Observers and Resource Persons,

- Staff from the SADC National Parliaments,

- SADC PF Secretariat Staff,

- Ladies and Gentlemen

We are delighted to have you here today to participate and sign up as gender champions, as part of the UN Women's global - HeForShe Solidarity Campaign.

This event came about, following an agreement between UN Women and SADC- PF to partner together in areas of mutual concern to enhance our development efforts in the SADC Region. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed on 29 January 2016 provides a framework of collaboration in order to enhance SADC-PF's initiatives on promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in political and socio-economic sectors in the SADC Countries, collaborating with SADC National Parliaments, as law-makers, oversight bodies and representatives of citizens.

At SADC level, we are on track on gender equality and the empowerment of women, even though, none of the SADC-Member Countries has acquired the agreed upon 50/50 gender parity goal by end of 2015. I must say, I am happy that the UN 59^th Commission on the Status Women and SADC Protocol on Gender and Development have extended the expiry date on gender inequalities to 2030. In the same vain, it is heartening to see the increase in female representation in decision-making bodies such as at the SADC Parliaments. Our task is to make the planet 50/50 by 2030 dream come true.

Honorable Members of Parliaments, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Having transitioned from the MDGs to SDGs, with a stand-alone goal on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls- and over 40 gender-related targets across all the other goals- we are optimistic that, that we will make substantive progress with your support as Parliamentarians. If any development process is to be effective and sustainable, it has to be owned by national stakeholders, and we urge all countries within our region and beyond to integrate the SDGs, especially goal 5, into national and regional development plans.

Recognizing that the equal representation of women and men in political and decision making processes is a democratic imperative, the SADC Parliamentary Forum continues to champion initiatives of the RWPC, in its efforts to ensure more women are visibly active, side by side with men, in political and decision-making processes

As we move towards our ultimate goal of being transformed into the Regional Parliament, it is expected that Member Parliaments and parliamentarians will play their part to see that the processes and gender equality commitments are kept on track. As an organization, our commitment to gender equality and women empowerment, cannot be overemphasized, for example, stated in our current Strategic plan, SADC-PF will continue to strive to ensure greater awareness of the policies and practices to advance gender equality and equity and the inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable, minority and special groups in the business of Parliament.

Honorable Members of Parliaments, Ladies and Gentlemen,

So far, the HeForShe Movement has been launched in various African Countries. Some of the Heads of States and Governments from our region who have signed up as champions, include: H.E. Arthur Peter Mutharika (Malawi) and H.E. Edgar Lungu (Zambia).

In this regard, we are honored to have Ms. Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UN Women Representative for South Africa Multi-Country Office with us today, with whom we hope to make this aspirations a reality. Prepare yourself to be challenged, excited and inspired.

Honorable members of parliaments, Ladies and Gentlemen,

And before I handover to Ms. Nomkhitha Gysman, SADC-PF Gender Programme Manager, who will outline the afternoon's programme, I want to say once more on behalf of the SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretariat, we are delighted that you are here and we look forward to many of our Parliamentarians signing up to be champions of this campaign. We also hope to see them make this campaign a reality in our national parliaments.

Thank you, obrigado, merci, siyabonga.

By Moses Magadza

Ezulwini, Swaziland : The SADC Parliamentary Forum is considering joint training sessions for journalists and Members of Parliament as it moves to strengthen the capacity of the two partners to advocate for universal access to sexual reproductive health rights and related issues.

The chairperson of the Human Development and Special Programme (HDSP) of SADC PF, South Africa Parliamentarian Ahmed Shaik-Emmam, revealed this last week. He was tabling the report of the HSDP at the 39^th Plenary Assembly Session of SADC PF.

The HSDP is implementing a four year SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance programme with funding from Sweden.

Staff Writer

HARARE, ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe's Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday (12 November, 2016) officially launched the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting those Already in Marriage, paving the way for the domestication of this groundbreaking law by SADC Member States.

Speaking to approximately Members of Parliament from 13 SADC Member States who included Speakers of National Parliaments, the Vice President, who also officially opened the 40^th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC PF in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, described the day on which the Model Law was launched as a great day in the history of the SADC Region.

"Today will go down in the annals of history as the day that our Members of Parliament set aside political and other differences to resoundingly say NO to child marriage by delivering a Model Law that will no doubt provide guidance to all our Member States as they develop or refine their own national laws to eradicate child marriage," he said to thunderous applause.

Describing child marriage as an "embarrassing scourge", Mnangagwa, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, noted that it had taken SADC PF and its partners nearly two years to develop the Model Law with so much commonality that it could easily be adopted or adapted as Member States reform, develop legal instruments and policies to eradicate child marriage.

"It has been a long journey marked by widespread consultations involving many stakeholders including legal drafters, our own MPs, civil society organisations and even our judges who enriched the Model Law," he said before outlining six detailed steps taken to develop the Model Law before the 39 ^th SADC PF Plenary Assembly Session which took place in Ezulwini, Swaziland on the 3rd of June, 2016, unanimously adopted it.

A lawyer, the Vice President said Model Law provides evidence-based guidance on how the SADC Region can address child marriage, especially in the face of inadequate or sometimes conflicting related legal instruments.

"Based on the latest evidence, the Model Law will no doubt be a valuable sounding board to countries as they reform, develop or revitalize their laws related to child marriage and its impact."

Noting that child marriage was a global problem, he urged SADC Member States to unite against the phenomenon lest they fail to benefit from the demographic dividend.

He said Zimbabwe, like other SADC Member States opposed child marriage, with the country's President Robert Mugabe determined to keep all children in school.

Mnangagwa said the Model Law would be distributed to Parliaments and other interested stakeholders in the SADC countries, especially relevant Government Ministries and Departments.

"It also needs to be presented to the SADC Secretariat for consideration to be transformed into a SADC Protocol on Child Marriage."

He urged SADC PF to hold workshops with key stakeholders in SADC Member States to popularize the Model Law and work with the media in this regard.

"Our Member States need to take a hard look at child-related marriage laws they have in their countries and pass relevant laws. More importantly, Members of Parliament can and must use their oversight role to ensure that National budgets support implementation of laws and policies in their countries to eradicate child marriage and support those already in marriage."

Speaking at the same launch, SADC PF Deputy President, Malawi lawmaker Joseph Njobvuyalema said the new Model Law might encourage SADC Member States to be accountable in the execution of policies, the enactment of laws and in coming up with strategic plans and measures aimed at eradicating child marriage, protecting children already in marriage and ensuring SRHRs of young persons.

"We are convinced that the creation of a robust and uniform legal framework relating to child marriage is key to addressing child marriage and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights," he said.

Njobvuyalema said regional and international treaties require countries to set the minimum age of marriage at 18, register all marriages and take effective action, including legislation, to eradicate child marriage.

"I call upon all MPs in our region to do all within their power to move towards implementing laws and policies that are relevant to our national settings to eradicate child marriage. This Model Law obliges Member States to provide in national legislation for intervention programmes to support child brides or wives and their families."

Among other things the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting those already in Marriage promotes earlier and more frequent use of family planning; HIV and AIDS and maternal health services; educational and economic opportunities to help break the cycle of inequality, illiteracy, illness and poverty that frequently perpetuate child marriage.

It provides, also, for comprehensive sexuality education and provides for collection of data on the number and status of children already in marriage, including the child's education, access to resources, health care, education, information and entertainment and the socio-economic status of the family.