Dear representatives of Member Parliaments, Civil Society Organisations and other partners,

It is with overwhelming pleasure and honour that I release this Statement on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child.

In this respect, the Forum fully associates itself with the UN theme for this year that relates to “Girls’ Vision for the Future” which demonstrates the need for Parliaments and Governments to prepare an inclusive future which is accommodative of the voices of young girls, teenagers and women at all levels, especially where decision-making roles are involved. Girl children in Africa and elsewhere are allowed to be planners, visionaries, and even dreamers who aspire for the future that they want in a conducive society that is respectful of gender equality and equal opportunities.

In the 21st century, practices such as child marriages and betrothals, Female Genital Mutilations (FGM), school dropouts due to menstruation or early pregnancies, to cite but a few, are abhorrent to a democracy and to the development of girls in Africa. In this respect, the Forum relentlessly advocates for the domestication of the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage, the SADC Model Law on Gender-Based Violence (GBV)and the SADC Model Law on Public Financial Management (PFM) which impose financial discipline on Member States to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the yearly budget exercise.

Despite the above measures, there are still enduring divides in legal and regulatory frameworks concerning protection of girls in Africa. Yet, the protection of girls is not an option, it is a must and constitutes a baseline without which socio-economic development will continue to lag behind. It is trite that a society which does not recognize the merits of girl children will be vowed to failure.

For its part, the Forum will continue to work closely and consistently with its Member Parliaments and partners to ensure that laws and policies regarding child protection are progressively domesticated to create the coveted Vision that we want for our children.

Yours sincerely,

H.E Boemo M SEKGOMA

SECRETARY GENERAL

STATEMENT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD 11TH OCTOBER 2024

Chers représentants des parlements membres, des organisations de la société civile et des autres partenaires,

C'est avec un plaisir et un honneur immense que je publie cette déclaration à l'occasion de la Journée internationale de la fille.

À cet égard, le Forum s'associe pleinement au thème de l'ONU pour cette année, à savoir « La vision des filles pour l'avenir », qui démontre la nécessité pour les parlements et les gouvernements de préparer un avenir inclusif qui tienne compte des voix des jeunes filles, des adolescentes et des femmes à tous les niveaux, en particulier lorsqu'il s'agit de prendre des décisions. Les filles d'Afrique et celles d'ailleurs sont autorisées à être des planificatrices, des visionnaires et même des rêveuses qui aspirent à l'avenir qu'elles souhaitent dans une société propice qui respecte l'égalité des genres et l'égalité des opportunités.

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

A statutory meeting of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP) of the SADC Parliamentary Forum began on 19 September 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa, amid urgent calls for sustainable health financing across the SADC region.

Member of Parliament Honourable Mope Khati from Lesotho chairs the committee. He officially opened the hybrid meeting, with some Members of Parliament including those from Zambia and Seychelles participating virtually.

By Moses Magadza

The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Honourable Roger Mancienne, has underlined the urgent need for educational reform across the continent, advocating for a comprehensive strategy to build resilient education systems that cater to all Africans in the 21st century.

Hon Mancienne, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, made the call on Monday when he addressed a sitting of the Pan African Parliament Committee virtually.

An art exhibition themed, “So She Was Turned to a Pillar of Salt,” began in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Saturday, with renowned Namibian artist Jo Rogge being hailed for her transformative contributions to contemporary art and social justice.

The exhibition, which opened to an engaged audience of art enthusiasts, diplomats, and social activists, revolves around the complex relationship between memory, identity, and the evolution of society.

SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma, was the keynote speaker at the launch.

“Art is the language through which we express the soul of humanity,” the SG said.

Drawing on the words of Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow, Ms Sekgoma posited that art “penetrates what pride, passion, intelligence and habit erect on all sides,” inviting attendees to embrace the “genuine reality” often obscured by the noise of everyday life.

The exhibition’s theme encourages viewers to grapple with the tension between reflecting on the past and moving toward the future.

“We must remember that while we learn from our experiences, we cannot live there,” Ms Sekgoma cautioned, adding, “True progress lies in forging ahead, unburdened by the ghosts of yesterday.”

Addressing the pressing issues affecting women around the world, Ms Sekgoma stressed art’s powerful role in challenging outdated norms.

“Child marriages, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence are not merely harmful cultural relics. These practices turn women into pillars of salt - frozen in time and denied the chance to move forward,” she argued.

She noted that through artistic expression, Rogge’s work aims to inspire change and give voice to the marginalised, invoking the need for society to reexamine and dismantle harmful traditions.

She also touched on the complexities of identity in relation to societal expectations.

“The conflicts surrounding the body, especially bodies in precarious positions, reveal a philosophical paradox of identity shaped by forces beyond our control,” Ms Sekgoma said.

Recognizing the experiences of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, she noted that Rogge’s art creates a space for validation and exploration of these identities.

“In doing so, we resist the notion that people must be frozen in place and limited by outdated norms,” she asserted.

Highlighting the perils of inaction, the SG highlighted the responsibility each individual bears in the fight against oppression.

“When we remain silent, we become complicit in perpetuating these harmful systems.”

Drawing from the words of Joseph Beuys, she underscored the importance of art as a catalyst for societal change.

“Art that cannot shape society... is no art.”

Ms Sekgoma hailed Rogge for her commitment to art.

“Her artistic journey is one of deep reflection and interrogation of heritage, identity, and history,” she said.

Namibian political scientist and author Professor André du Pisani attended the launch of the exhibition. In an interview, he shed light on the profound significance of Rogge's work, noting its multifaceted impact on culture and society.

Having collaborated with Rogge since she arrived in Namibia during the 1980s, Du Pisani described her as a pivotal figure in arts education, stating, “Her role in arts education has been very formative. She has trained some very good artists.”

He said Rogge’s latest exhibition tackles pressing issues of identity and gender, presenting a tapestry of perspectives that challenge societal norms.

Du Pisani noted, “As an artist, she has defined her own identity. It’s very much about her identity. In that sense, it’s introspective.”

He said this introspection was rooted in a strong feminist ethos, with the artist embracing both radical and material feminist principles, enabling her to confront critical issues such as gender-based violence and the evolving roles of women in contemporary society.

Du Pisani elaborated on the broader implications of Rogge’s art.

He said: “She revisits what is happening to women more generally... She’s also political. She reflects on how society responds to these phenomena of unity and diversity.”

He added that Rogge’s art serves as a catalyst for discussion around identity construction and the complexity of self-definition within a diverse society.

The professor stressed the importance of knowledge construction in Rogge’s work, asserting, “That makes her an important artist, not only visually, but also in terms of the knowledge construction that her work carries.”

He said her ability to interweave artistic expression with feminist theory positions her as a critical voice in the contemporary art landscape.

Asked what he would want to see society gravitate towards considering Rogge’s work, Du Pisani articulated a vision for societal progress: “If you want social inclusivity and if you want to actualize the principles of equity, equality, and liberty, then you go into social democracy... How you deal with these different identities is an important question, not only politically but in knowledge.”

He held that Rogge’s art was instrumental in decolonizing narratives surrounding patriarchy and that it transcends mere aesthetic appeal, acting instead as a powerful commentary on identity, gender, and the quest for equality.

The exhibition runs up to 12 October.

Ends/.

*Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.

Dear representatives of Member Parliaments, Civil Society Organisations and other partners,

It is with immense pleasure that I release this Statement on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, which stands as a testament of the Forum’s unyielding objective to make parliamentary democracy thrive in the SADC region.

STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SADC-PF ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Chers représentants des parlements membres, des organisations de la société civile et des autres partenaires,

C'est avec un immense plaisir que je publie cette déclaration à l'occasion de la Journée internationale de la démocratie, qui témoigne de l'objectif inébranlable du Forum de faire prospérer la démocratie parlementaire dans la région de la SADC.

DECLARATION DE LA SECRÉTAIRE GÉNÉRALE DE LA SADC-PF A L'OCCASION DE LA JOURNEE INTERNATIONALE DE LA DEMOCRATIE LE 15 SEPTEMBRE 2024

By Moses Magadza in Pretoria, South Africa

Former First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, has emphasised the urgent need to champion Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people across East and Southern Africa.

Geingos was the keynote speaker last Thursday at a regional dialogue themed “Transforming Futures: Exploring Strategies for Accelerating Collective Regional Actions to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.”