A delegation of parliamentarians from the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus met with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne on Monday 3rd June 2024. The group of parliamentarians are in Seychelles on a benchmarking and advocacy visit from 1st to 8th June 2024. The aim of the visit is to mobilise for women’s empowerment in politics, influence on anti-corruption policies and resource mobilisation. The Speaker was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Gervais Henrie, Chairperson of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), Hon. Regina Esparon, the Clerk, Mrs. Tania Isaac, the Deputy Clerk, Ms. Alexandria Faure and the Committee Secretary to the WPC, Ms. Samia Lebon.
The Speaker warmly welcomed the delegation to Seychelles, which was being headed by the Vice-Chairperson of the Caucus, Hon. Sethulo Ndebele on behalf of the Chairperson, Hon. Maybe Mbohwa of whom will be arriving in Seychelles later. Hon. Ndebele highlighted the importance of the visit for the delegation citing the needs for more women parliamentarians to be involved in policy making that combats corruption and advocating for gender parity in Parliaments across the SADC region. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker both highlighted the electoral reforms that have taken place in Seychelles, including the gaps that exist which prevent women from entering politics, further adding the need for Parliament to be corrupt free, ethical and operating in a transparent manner to increase public trust. Hon. Esparon discussed the target for gender parity in parliaments across the SADC region to reach the 50/50 mark by 2030 and highlighted the need for further advocacy on gender based violence which affect women politicians during their tenure and certainly during heated elections. The Seychelles delegation further noted the increased presence of women in the public service and the education sector. Benchmarking visits and exchanges are important ways in which parliaments across the world implement best practices, reforms and strengthen their procedures and legislative roles.
For the duration of their benchmarking visit, the delegation will be meeting with the Leaders of the Assembly, Anti-Corruption Commission, Electoral Commission, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of Seychelles, the Committee of HIV/AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights Committee, the Women in Action & Solidarity, the Minister for Youth, Sports & Family and the Minister for Employment & Socia Affairs.
