2024-05-01 00:41:43
The executive office of this network, whose members were elected during a meeting on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Conference on South-South cooperation, organized by the Chamber of Advisors under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, composed of its president Jehad Al Fadhel, from the Kingdom of Bahrain, a first vice-president, from the Kingdom of Eswatini, and a second vice-president, from the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as two rapporteurs, respectively from Libya and Ivory Coast.
On this occasion, women parliamentarians highlighted that the creation of this network is an opportunity to launch the process of empowerment of women parliamentarians in Africa and the Arab world, as well as to increase their participation in public life, particularly in the legislative power.
They also noted the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation to reduce gender disparities in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, the parliamentary advisors explained that the Senates and equivalent councils that are members of this group have developed a vision for the creation of a forum for consultation and exchange of knowledge and expertise on issues related to women.
The objective being to promote and consolidate the role of women parliamentarians in cooperation in the political, economic, social and cultural fields in the Arab and African regions, from a strategic, participatory and integrative perspective.
The network’s internal regulations, which were examined and voted on by women parliamentarians, stipulate to put the issue of women’s empowerment at the top of political and legislative priorities and programs in the Arab and African regions, as well as to work to review existing policies and to remove regulatory and legal obstacles that hinder the role of women.
The same document also provides for the strengthening of dialogue and cooperation with parliaments, regional and international organizations and bodies, with networks working on the issue of women, as well as participation in relevant international forums with a view to exchanging knowledge and experience capable of contributing to the promotion of political and legislative issues of common interest.
Membership in this parliamentary network, made up of women parliamentarians from the Senates, Shoura and equivalent councils from Africa and the Arab world, is open to national parliaments and regional parliamentary unions in the two regions.
In addition, national parliaments and parliamentary unions at the international level can acquire observer member status after submitting an application to the network’s executive board.
During this meeting, the speakers reviewed the experiences of women’s representation in the parliaments of the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Libya, Ivory Coast, the Kingdom of Morocco, Equatorial Guinea, from Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of Burundi, highlighting the important journey of developing female leadership in the legislative institution.
In the same vein, women parliamentarians welcomed the positive progress made by women regarding the adoption of the quota for women in parliament, calling for concerted efforts from governments, political parties, civil society actors and the private sector to support the political participation of women parliamentarians and improve the possibilities for their political and social empowerment.
2024-05-01 00:41:43