Media Advisory: SADC PF Meets In Johannesburg to Review And Validate the draft SADC Model Law On Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
12 Nov. 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumJOHANNESBURG – SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 12 November 2021 – The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) Standing Committees and the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus are meeting in Johannesburg on 15 to 17 November to review and validate the draft SADC Model Law on Gender Based Violence (GBV Model Law).
The objectives of the three-day session are to comprehensively review and validate the draft GBV Model law clause-by-clause to ensure that it contains all the legal principles, guidelines and obligations that are stipulated in the regional and international agreements; and ensure that when finalised the Model Law is acceptable, enforceable and flexible so that it can be adopted or adapted.
Details of the meetings are as follows:
Date: Monday, 15 to Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Venue: Premier Hotel OR Tambo, 73 Gladiator Street, Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, South Africa
Time: 09:30 to 16:00 Harare/Pretoria Time.
MEDIA ACCESS: Meetings of the SADC-PF are open to the media and journalists who are interested in covering them must register on the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEud-2gqj4tE9PHS6uKfF5U-rwlsBvKVGEH
The meetings will be streamed live on the SADC-PF social media platforms on the links below and also broadcast live (or recorded for later broadcast) on DSTV Channel 408:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadcpf
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sadcpf
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa0QZWjuXVxer_vm637pBmQ
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Enquiries: Modise Kabeli +27 81 715 9969 or org"> [AT] </" data-ep-bbf76="[DOT]
Programme
MEDIA ADVISORY: SADC-PF COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS IN PROMOTING DIRECT INVESTMENT, WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, CONFLICT PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE SADC REGION
12 Out. 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Monday 11 October 2021 – Standing Committees of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) are scheduled to hold virtual statutory meetings from the 8th until the 19th of October 2021. The Standing Committee meetings are being held ahead of the 50th Plenary Assembly Session to be hosted by the Parliament of Lesotho in December, where each Committee will table its report.
Matters scheduled for discussion during this over-a-week long programme includes consideration of a scorecard to monitor Model Laws, enhancing the role of Parliament in promoting direct investment, the role of Parliaments in water resource management in the SADC region and strengthening Parliament’s role in conflict prevention and management, amongst others.
Today, 11 October at 09:30, the Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment chaired by Hon. Anele Ndebele, from Zimbabwe, is scheduled to deliberate on “Enhancing the Role of Parliament in Promoting Domestic and Foreign Direct Investment.” To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.
On Tuesday, 12 October, the Standing Committee on the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FARN), chaired by Hon. Tumba, is scheduled todeliberate on the role of Parliaments in Water Resource Management in the SADC Region. To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.
On Wednesday, 13 October, the Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance and Human Rights, chaired by Hon. Jeronima Agostihno, from Mozambique, will hold its meeting under the theme: “Peace, Security and Conflict Trends in the SADC Region: Strengthening Parliament’s Role in Conflict Prevention and Management. To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.
On Thursday, 14 October, the Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and Youth Development, chaired by Hon. Peete Peete Ramoqai – from Lesotho, will meet under the theme: “Enhancing Parliaments’ Response in the Prevention and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls during Pandemics.” To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.
On Friday, 15 October the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes, chaired by Hon. Bertha Ndebele, from Malawi, is scheduled to discuss the role of Parliamentarians in advancing CSE in the region. To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.
On Monday, 18 October a Joint Session of the SADC-PF Standing Committees and the RWPC is scheduled to sit. While on Tuesday, 19 October, the RWPC will meet to deliberate on various cross cutting issues of regional concern.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
MEDIA ACCESS: Meetings of the SADC-PF are open to the media and journalists who are interested in covering them must register on the following link to be added to a SADC-PF Accredited Media WhatsApp group where information on events of the Forum are regularly shared with the media:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kj519Su3Py04YY8PW1t1Xy
The meeting will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 408 and also streamed live on the SADC-PF social media platforms on the links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadcpf
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sadcpf
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa0QZWjuXVxer_vm637pBmQ
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Enquiries: Modise Kabeli +27 81 715 9969 or org" data-ep-a3d34="media<smal">
Convidamos-lhe Para Uma Mesa Redonda Técnica Através do Zoom, Para a Revisão do Estudo Continental, Com o Intuito de Melhorar a Eficácia dos Parlamentos Africanos Durante a Crise: Lições Aprendidas da pandemia da Covi-19
Essa reunião tem como objectivo partilhar experiências da Covid 19, e encontrar soluções e estratégias para o pleno funcionamento do parlamento durante a crise.
Quando? Segunda Feira, 8 de Novembro de 2021, das 11:00 da manhã, às 14:00 horas, horário de Johannesburg.
Por favor, registe-se com antecedência nesse link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUod-GgpzMvHdS6xESj6t190OILMR- NZmSd
Após registar-se, receberá a confirmação por email, contendo informações sobre como fazer parte da reunião.
Contactar a Paulina para quaisquer questões através do email: org" data-ep-a3d34="pkanguatjiv"> [A" data-ep-bbf76="l> [DOT] </">.
Obrigado.
- Notificação Para Reunião - Com O Intuito De Melhorar A Eficácia Dos Parlamentos Africanos Durante A Crise: Lições Aprendidas Da Pandemia Da Covi-19
- Documento De Sintese - Mesa-Redonda Técnica Estudo Continental sobre o Reforço da Eficácia dos Parlamentos em África Durante as Crises: Lições da Pandemia da COVID-19
- Programa Mesa redonda técnica Estudo Continental Para a Melhoria dos Parlamentos em África Durante a Crise. Lições/ Ilações Tiradas da Pandemia da covid 19
Agenda Capacity Building of Committee Secretaries on the Format Of Committee Reports to the Plenary Assembly and Committee Minutes
30 Set. 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary Forum29TH SEPTEMBER
09:00 TO 12:10
Objectives:
- To build the capacity of Committee Clerks in producing Committee Minutes and Reports of the highest quality;
- To develop guidelines on and standardise the format of SADC PF Committee Reports to the Plenary Assembly; and
- To share knowledge and experience and to promote peer learning among Committee Clerks.
29TH SEPTEMBER, 2021 | ||
TIME | ITEM/TOPIC | PRERSENTER |
09:00 – 09:10 | Introductions and Programme Overview | Ms Paulina Kanguatjivi, Assistant Procedural Officer & Coordinator |
09:10 – 09:20 | Opening Remarks | Ms Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General |
09:20 – 09:40 | Context and Objectives of the Meeting | Mr Sheuneni Kurasha, Programme Manager, Democracy & Parliamentary Business Focal Person |
09:40 – 10:30 | Key Components of a Committee Minutes and Reports: The Do’s and Don’ts | Ms Clare Musonda, Director: Corporate Governance |
10:30 – 12:00 | Deliberations and Way Forward | Mr Sheuneni Kurasha |
12:00 – 12:10 | Tutorial on filling in of Programme Implementation Request Form | Ms Yapoka Mungandi, Director of Administration, Finance & Human Resources |
END OF MEETING | ||
Media Advisory: RWPC Meets to Discuss Gender Equality and Discrimination In The Workplace
18 Out. 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Monday 18 October 2021 – The Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus will tomorrow, Tuesday 19 October 2021, hold a virtual meeting on empowering women focusing on the elimination of gender inequality and discrimination in the workplace, amongst others.
The theme of the meeting is “Empowering Women in a Sustainable, Industry-Focused Workforce in SADC: A Focus on Social Protection.” Members of the Committee will receive presentations from the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Social Protection Specialist, Kroum Markov, the ILO’s Angola- based Social Protection Technical Officer, Denise Monteiro, and the United Nations Development’s Angola-based Economist, Lorenzo Mancini.
Details of the meeting are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 19th October 2021
Time: 10:00 to 16:00 Harare/Pretoria Time.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
MEDIA ACCESS: Meetings of the SADC-PF are open to the media and journalists who are interested in covering them must register on the following link to be added to a SADC-PF Accredited Media WhatsApp group where information on events of the Forum are regularly shared with the media:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kj519Su3Py04YY8PW1t1Xy
Register to join the meeting here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-6grjotE9SB6CoGlDIJLsKvoMSpp3G9
The meeting will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 408 and also streamed live on the SADC-PF social media platforms on the links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadcpf
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sadcpf
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa0QZWjuXVxer_vm637pBmQ
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Declaração Da Secretária-Geral Do Fórum Parlamentar Da SADC No Dia Internacional Da Rapariga 11 De Outubro De 2021
11 Out. 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumCaros colegas/parceiros,
É com grande prazer que divulgo esta declaração aos augustos Parlamentos e parceiros do Fórum, tendo em vista a celebração do Dia Internacional da Rapariga a 11 de Outubro de 2021.
O Fórum Parlamentar da SADC associa-se plenamente à Resolução 66/170 da Assembleia Geral das Nações Unidas para comemorar este dia com vista a reconhecer os direitos das raparigas e atender aos desafios únicos com que são confrontadas em África e em todo o mundo. Um dos objectivos centrais do Fórum é proporcionar igualdade de oportunidades às raparigas na África Austral, de modo a que progridam no plano da educação, bem como na implementação de todos os outros direitos humanos, tal como acontece com os rapazes, e sem qualquer tipo de discriminação.
A Lei Modelo da SADC sobre o Casamento Infantil e o Modelo de Supervisão Sensível ao Género (GROM) são ilustrações não exaustivas das várias iniciativas tomadas pelo Fórum Parlamentar da SADC para capacitar as raparigas através de iniciativas parlamentares. Com o advento da Comissão de Supervisão das Leis Modelo Parlamentares Regionais (RPMLOC), que é o órgão específico do Fórum para monitorizar a Lei Modelo da SADC sobre o Casamento Infantil, o Fórum está prestes a dar início a um acompanhamento atento através de tabelas de desempenho parlamentar com o objectivo global de melhorar a situação e a qualidade de vida das raparigas em toda a SADC. A este respeito, o Fórum convida os seus parceiros de longa data a continuar a trabalhar com o Fórum com vista a interagir com sucesso com a RPMLOC e a fazer convergir os seus processos em benefício final das raparigas da região.
O Fórum também louva o tema da "Geração Digital". A Nossa Geração" escolhido em 2021 para comemorar este importante dia, uma vez que, de facto, as raparigas têm infinitas potencialidades a explorar a partir das possibilidades digitais que abarcam a terceira década do novo milénio. O mundo digital pode agir como catalisador para servir as nobres aspirações das raparigas. De facto, as raparigas na SADC representam o futuro da região: podem ser profissionais de sucesso, académicas brilhantes, mães carinhosas, inovadoras geniais na indústria, investidoras estratégicas, e muito mais. Seja qual for o caminho que escolherem, o Fórum compromete-se a acompanhá-las na sua jornada rumo à prosperidade.
Feliz Dia Internacional da Rapariga de 2021!
Atenciosamente,
Sra. B. Sekgoma, Secretária-Geral
Fórum Parlamentar da SADC
11 de Outubro de 2021
Statement from the Secretary General of the SADC-PF on the International Day Of The Girl Child 11th October 2021
11 Out. 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumDear Colleagues/partners,
It is with boundless pleasure that I release this statement to the Forum’s august Member Parliaments and partners in view of celebrating the International Day of Girl Child on this 11th October 2021.
The Forum fully associates itself with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/170 to commemorate this day in view of recognising girls’ rights and addressing the unique challenges that they face in Africa and around the world. One of the core objectives of the SADC-PF is give equal chances and opportunities to girl children in Southern Africa such that they progress in education as well as in the implementation of all other human rights, at par with boys, and without discrimination of any kind.
The SADC Model Law on Child Marriage and the Gender Responsive Oversight Model (GROM) are non-exhaustive illustrations of the several initiatives taken by the SADC-PF to empower girl children through parliamentary initiatives. With the advent of the Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC), which is the Forum’s dedicated organ for monitoring the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage, the Forum is about to embark on close monitoring through parliamentary scorecards with the overarching objective of improving the situation and quality of life of girl children across SADC. In this respect, the Forum invites its longstanding partners to continue engaging the Forum in view of successfully interacting with the RPMLOC and aligning its processes for the ultimate benefit of girl children of the region.
The Forum also commends the theme of the “Digital Generation. Our Generation” chosen in 2021 to commemorate this august day as indeed girl children have endless potentials to tap from the digital possibilities that embrace the third decade of the new millennium. The digital world can act as a catalyst to serve the noble aspirations of girl children. Indeed, girl children in SADC constitute the future of the region: they can be successful professionals, brilliant academics, loving mothers, ingenious innovators in industry, strategic investors, and so much more. Whichever path they will choose, the Forum commits to accompany them in their journey towards prosperity.
Happy International Day of the Girl Child 2021!
Yours sincerely,
Ms B. Sekgoma,Secretary General,
SADC Parliamentary Forum
11th October 2021
Law must spell out prosecution parameters for femicide, Malawi Judge
05 Out. 2021 Written by By Modise Kabeli05 October 2021 - A High Court Judge from Malawi, Justice Zione Jane Veronica Ntaba, has urged the legal drafters of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Model Law on Gender Based Violence (GBV Model Law) to ensure that it clearly spells out the parameters of prosecution for femicide.
Justice Ntaba was delivering the keynote address at the virtual consultative meeting of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) and the SADC Member States’ prosecutors on the GBV Model Law yesterday (04 October).
“The Model Law has included a very critical area which several of the SADC jurisdictions have very little legislation on – that is the concept of femicide… The Model Law fails to provide parameters for prosecution institutions in dealing with prioritisation of prosecuting such cases,” said Justice Ntaba adding that the focus of the parameters should be on pre, during and post prosecution.
Justice Ntaba said another issue that needed further examination on the draft was the concept of re-victimisation. “The law needs to address re-victimisation to be beyond access to justice but to be envisaged as an extension of the medical principle – ‘first do no harm.’ That is to be addressed across the GBV continuum of the victim,” she said.
However, Justice Ntaba said she was excited by the purpose of the consultations. “I find the objectives of the consultative meeting exciting and extremely important as the issues you aim to achieve are very fundamental for gender and women’s rights in Africa,” she said.
Dr Linda Naidoo, of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), told the meeting that major forms of violence in the SADC region include rape, trafficking in persons and child marriages. “In the SADC region victims generally do not seek legal recourse because of inhibiting factors such as fear of being blamed for breaking up the family, fear of reprisals from the spouse, shame about airing their personal affairs in public and economic dependency.”
Dr Naidoo said “the home is the most dangerous place for a woman. In seven countries 20 percent of 15 to 24 year old females reported sexual violence from an intimate partner, the percentage exceeds 50 percent in many countries.”
SADC-PF Secretary General, Ms Boemo Sekgoma, emphasised the central role played by prosecutors in the fight against GBV as it is “increasingly, being treated not only as a domestic issue which occurs within the confines of the household, or a civil law issue, but as an issue which can have criminal law implications.”
“Prosecutors are important to consider GBV complaints, assess the evidence, filter false complaints from meritorious ones, and proceed in accordance with the law in place to advise for further prosecution and trial. Prosecutors fill the Charge sheets and decide which charge is more appropriate to the offence committed or advise for further enquiries to be conducted by the investigating authorities,” said Ms Sekgoma adding that “prosecutors are thus prominent stakeholders in the fight against GBV as well as for sensitisation initiatives to prevent GBV.”
Facilitating the interaction was Justice Professor Oagile Key Dingake who cautioned the participating prosecutors that not all provisions of the Model Law “will be attractive to all countries. A number of countries will choose provisions that they consider will strengthen their laws, or those that are consistent with their laws.”
UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, Sven Pfeiffer, delivering his closing remarks yesterday said: “It is imperative that all justice actors take appropriate measures to prevent hardship during the detection, investigation and prosecution process in order to ensure that survivors are treated with dignity and respect, whether they participate in the criminal proceedings or not.”
Pfeiffer said the GBV Model Law “provides an excellent basis from which SADC Member States can reform their crime prevention and criminal justice response systems.”
“In pursuit of this, the promotion and protection of women’s and girls’ human rights should form the basis of the development and implementation of relevant national legislation, policy development and training programs,” he said.
Statement by the Secretary General During Stakeholder Consultations For The GBV Model Law – Legal Aid Officials On 8th October 2021
08 Out. 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumDistinguished legal aid officials and participants,
It is with singular pleasure and satisfaction that I welcome you to this landmark Consultative Meeting on the SADC GBV Model Law. As you may be aware, this Consultative Meeting is being held after fruitful consultative meetings with all stakeholders in the legal fraternity – Indeed, the Forum has successfully garnered the views from judges and judicial officers, Magistrates, SADC lawyers and jurists, as well as prosecutors, to cite a few.
The fact that the Forum is today consulting with Legal Aid Officials demonstrates the depth of the Consultations engaged. Indeed, it would have been a missed opportunity not to engage Legal Aid officials who are themselves the custodians and guarantors of access to justice.
- Why is the consultation with Legal Aids Officials important?
It is trite that Legal Aid constitutes a gateway for access to justice for those who are at the bottom of the social ladder and cannot afford to pay court and counsel’s fees. This is compounded with the fact that unreported cases of GBV is often from the most vulnerable segment of society, and thus GBV complainants need to apply for legal aid to be able to adequately seize the court system, especially where civil matters are concerned.
In this respect, protection orders, occupancy orders or tenancy orders which are issued by the Court in the context of GBV offending are all involved with the legal aid process. In addition, in the criminal justice system, depending on the SADC Member State jurisdiction, legal aid can also assist GBV complainants who attend a police station without counsel. In short, legal aid comes at the rescue of those who cannot pay for their own legal fees.
In the context of the GBV Model Law, the Forum wanted to ensure that the Model Law contains sufficient legal aid provisions to assist GBV complainants, victims, or other GBV stakeholders, hence this engagement of paramount importance with you today.
- Legal aid and human rights
Having said the above, I would like to give some insight into the linkages between the Forum’s mandate and the provision of legal aid in SADC Member States.
As you may be aware, the Forum has clear objectives to promote a culture of human rights and to ensure gender equality in accordance with its Strategic Plan (2019-2023). While GBV is a clear infringement of several human rights such as the right to health, physical integrity, and the prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment, access to justice is equally another human right. Access to justice refers to prompt access to the court system through affordable avenues and with limited delay to obtain redress.
Thus, while eradicating GBV and implementing human rights, the Forum needs to consider all relevant human rights comprehensively, through a purposive approach.
At the same time, the Forum as an institutional organ of the SADC stands guided by the SADC Regional Strategy for GBV (2018-2030). The Regional Strategy has earmarked the need for a human rights compliant legal framework for GBV that could assist GBV victims in all SADC Member States.
The initiative of the Forum to prepare and implement the SADC GBV Model Law thus marks the convergence of several imperatives and priorities which have ripened over the years both regionally and at the national level. Additionally, the Model Law is a continuation of commitments taken through the Abuja Declaration, Sustainable Development Goal 5 as well as the AU’s Africa Agenda 2063. The Forum is thus threading on the right path of implementation of human rights and addressing its obstacles when it is weaving the issue of legal aid into the GBV discourse and reflecting same in its flagship Model Law.
- What does the Forum expect from Legal Aid Officials
Distinguished Legal Aid Officials and participants,
Before I end, I wish to share a few pointers to guide today’s session. During this session, you are encouraged to interact openly and frankly with the Legal drafter and the facilitator.
You may wish to consider whether and to what extent should legal aid apply in the realm of GBV, and if it does apply which areas of the Model Law need to be revisited to ensure that legal aid is available to GBV complainants.
Furthermore, there is a need to provide for a means test for legal aid which would give a framework for national jurisdictions to consider. Since the SADC Model Law is a benchmarking legal instrument which will remain as a yardstick for SADC Member Parliaments, specific figures in the means test need not be given. Yet, parameters for legal aid may be considered in view of assisting Member Parliaments in the legislative process to devise a means test. For instance, it is now well known that considering income of an individual alone is not sufficient for legal aid, and that both income and assets are to be considered. Yet, there is a need to ascertain how to consider both income and assets and set parameters for same in a way which is human rights friendly and does not unduly prejudice meritorious applications for legal aid. This balancing exercise would thus be an important consideration for legal aid officials as they consider the provisions of the Model Law and devise a means test that could be used as a broad benchmark.
Having given the above essential pointers, I thank you again for your attendance today and wish you all a pleasant session.
Thank You.
Ms B.Sekgoma, Secretary General,
SADC Parliamentary Forum 8th October 2021
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