Call to domesticate SADC model laws |25 May 2023
Chinwe Ogbonna, deputy regional director of UNFPA ESARO speaks to SADC PF lawmakers in Johannesburg (Photo: Moses Magadza)
The United Nations Population Fund has pledged its support to members of parliament in the SADC region as they accelerate the domestication and implementation of SADC model laws on child marriage and gender-based violence.
Chinwe Ogbonna, deputy regional director of UNFPA ESARO, reiterated her organisation’s support during a joint sitting of the standing committees of the Southern Africa Development Community Parliamentarian Forum (SADC-PF) and the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC) on May 10, 2023.
“We pay tribute to the SADC PF our long-standing partner in advancing parliamentary actions within and beyond the SADC region towards achieving Rights and Choices for all,” she said.
She added: “UNFPA in collaboration with SADC PF recommits itself and looks forward to sustaining our engagements in the course of the year and beyond to ensure implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action, achieve the SDGs by 2030 and attain aspirations and goals of Africa Agenda 2063.”
She urged stakeholders to continue working hard to contribute “to transformative change for the people we serve in Southern Africa, and Africa, in particular women, young people and adolescents”.
Ms Ogbonna commended parliamentarians in various countries for their role in advancing inclusive legislative actions, providing oversight and accountability, reviewing and enacting budgetary appropriations, and amplifying voice and representation, all aimed at ensuring collective acceleration towards the common shared agenda.
She also highlighted the need to address the unfinished business for women and youth, especially in the ESA region that has recorded significant progress towards achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Ms Ogbonna mentioned some significant challenges facing the region, such as deepening inequality within and across countries, demographic change, increasing conflicts, and climate emergencies affecting community and household resilience.
She also noted the prevalence of female genital mutilation, child marriage, and teen pregnancy, which remain major concerns despite progress made. Rates of gender-based violence also persistently remain high, with 24% of women aged 15 to 49 years reporting having experienced intimate partner violence during the previous twelve months. Sexual violence against early adolescents aged 15 years and below is highest in the conflict and post-conflict countries of the SADC region.
Ms Ogbonna urged MPs to address these issues urgently and ensure that SADC model laws on child marriage and gender-based violence are implemented and enforced.
She also emphasised the need to envision ways to address multidimensional poverty, social inequality, and economic instability, considering their impact across all SRHR targets within and across countries in the region.
She paid tribute to the SADC PF for its long-standing partnership in advancing parliamentary actions within and beyond the SADC region towards achieving rights and choices for all.
She encouraged members of Parliament to continue working towards a common shared agenda, to accelerate progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals in less than seven years and contribute towards the aspirations and goals of Africa Agenda 2063.
Moses Magadza