Date/Time
Date(s) - October 11, 2023 - October 18, 2023
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Categories
CONCEPT NOTE
PUBLIC HEARING SESSION FOR SADC PF STANDING COMMITTEES
Amplifying Citizens’ Voices in Regional Integration in Southern Africa:
Bridging the Engagement Gap by bringing Parliament to the People
Dates: 11th to 18th October 2023
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
1.1 Regional Economic Outlook
Currently, the global economy is experiencing a significant downturn, with
growth dropping from 6.3 percent in 2021 to 3.4 percent in 2022. This slowdown
is evident across advanced economies, emerging markets and developing
economies, largely due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has caused
disruptions in supply chains, high inflation, and stringent financial conditions.
This trend of moderate global growth is expected in 2023. Likewise, the SADC
region is facing subdued growth, with an average of 4.8 percent, well below the
targeted 7 percent for 2022. Out of all the 16 Member States, only DRC,
Mauritius and Seychelles managed to achieve the target. Regrettably, every
Member State that managed to meet the target in 2021 was unable to reach the
threshold in 2022. Public debt levels are on the rise in the region, with most
Member States failing to achieve the regional target of 60 percent of public debt
in 2022. This situation puts the region at risk of debt distress. High debt levels
entail high debt service costs, which, in turn constrain the resources available
for supporting development and sustainable long-term growth for
macroeconomic expansion. As countries work towards post-COVID-19 recovery,
it is crucial for Parliaments to actively engage and advocate for inclusive
economic policies. These policies should prioritise the inclusion of women,
children, and individuals with disabilities while also strengthening community
resilience.
1.2 Extractive Sector Governance and Climate Change
On the extractive front, as the global drive towards net zero emissions
accelerates, the demand for renewable energies has led to heightened
exploitation of mineral resources in Southern Africa. Minerals like lithium,
cobalt, and copper have become essential for manufacturing batteries and green
technologies, driving decarbonisation in energy and transportation sectors. The
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region holds a substantial share of these critical minerals: the DRC produces
around 70% of the world’s cobalt, South Africa boasts the largest manganese
reserves, Mozambique holds significant graphite shares and Zimbabwe
possesses Africa’s largest lithium deposits. It is imperative for the region to
harness the potential of these transitional minerals and maximise their benefits
for the well-being of citizens and meaningful contributions to SADC Vision 2050,
Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This requires enhanced accountability, including a thorough examination of the
human rights implications stemming from mining projects, ensuring that their
rights are upheld and protected. The accountability also extends to
implementing comprehensive solutions across the entire transitional minerals
value chain and managing all stages of mineral extraction, processing, refining
and utilisation, as well as to preventing perpetual revenue leakages and
violations of community rights. In the end, there is need to establish a holistic
approach that maximises the economic benefits derived from these critical
minerals and safeguards the rights and interests of the communities directly
impacted by these activities. Parliaments must leverage their constitutional
mandate to make laws, oversee government, represent citizens and budget
allocation and oversight to ensure accountability in the extractive sector,
including protecting the environment and uphold community and human rights.
1.3 Youth Participation and Representation
The prominence of youth-related challenges in the region is underscored by a
substantial youthful population, limited economic prospects, and restricted
involvement in political and decision-making arenas. The region boasts a
significant youth demographic as around 75% of the SADC population consists
of persons below the age of 35 while youth aged 15 to 35 constitute about 34%
of the overall population in the region. However, despite this potential
demographic dividend, youth in the region encounter considerable obstacles to
securing viable economic prospects. The youth unemployment rate averages
around 20%, significantly surpassing the overall unemployment rate (ILO,
2021). Young people’s active participation in political processes and decision-
making remains limited.
In many SADC countries, youth representation in legislative bodies and
leadership roles is notably low. Only around 2% of parliamentarians across the
region are under the age of 30 (UNDP, 2021). Addressing these challenges
requires fostering youth participation in political, decision-making, and socio-
economic development through comprehensive strategies. This involves
establishing consistent policies to generate high-quality employment
opportunities, nurturing youth entrepreneurship and facilitating meaningful
engagement in governance and policy formulation. Additionally, it’s essential to
confront issues such as early marriages and the realisation of sexual and
reproductive health rights. Parliament plays a crucial role in empowering youth
in politics by providing opportunities for their voices to be heard, supporting
civic education and addressing their needs through legislation. The legislature
should also create an inclusive environment for young leaders by assisting their
candidacy, offering mentoring and providing resources to shape the region’s
future, ultimately contributing to a more representative democracy.
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1.4 Gender Equality
Gender equality is a fundamental goal for democratic societies, crucially
recognised in the SADC region. The commitment to gender equality and women’s
empowerment is integral to the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan
(RISDP) 2020-2030 which identifies gender as a crosscutting and key factor for
integration and development. The RISDP underscores the significance of
achieving balanced representation for both men and women across all sectors of
society. Consequently, it calls for ongoing advancement towards the realisation
of substantial equality in opportunities between women and men.
Despite recent strides, the SADC region continues to face challenges in achieving
full gender equality in its electoral processes. Women who constitute over half
the population and electorate, remain underrepresented in political and public
decision-making positions across the region. The SADC Gender and
Development Monitor 2022 confirms the women’s underrepresentation and
highlights the influence of electoral systems in women’s political representation
and participation. Research indicates that electoral systems incorporating
Proportional Representation (PR) and mixed systems are more effective in
advancing women’s representation compared to the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)
system.
Parliament plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality and women’s
representation in political and decision-making positions by enacting and
enforcing policies and legislation that advance women’s rights and participation.
This involves implementing affirmative action measures, fostering women’s
political leadership through mentoring, and creating an inclusive political
environment that encourages women’s engagement. Moreover, Parliament
serves as a platform for advocating gender-sensitive policies and ensures active
inclusion of women’s voices and perspectives in decision-making, acting as a
catalyst for enhancing gender equality and women’s representation in the
region’s political landscape.
1.5 Regional Food and Nutrition Security and Disaster Risk
The region continue to experience climate change-induced droughts and
cyclones with severe impact on food and nutrition sufficiency. During the
2022/2023 rainfall season, many areas in the region experienced below-average
precipitation. In fact, certain regions, including southern Angola, northern
Botswana, northern Namibia, southwestern Zambia, and northeastern
Madagascar, witnessed one of the driest seasons since 1981. Overall, most
Member States encountered erratic rainfall patterns. Some Member States have
experienced tropical storms and cyclones which brought heavy rains and
flooding, causing extensive destruction of infrastructure, disruption of water and
sanitation systems, negatively impacted agricultural production and resulted in
injury and deaths. Concurrently, some countries of the region have also
experienced outbreaks of African red migratory locust, which led to the
destruction of thousands of hectares of grazing land and crop fields.
Parliament should enact and oversee policies and legislation related to
agriculture, food production, and disaster preparedness. It should allocate
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adequate resources for agricultural development, monitor food production and
distribution and implement measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters
on food systems. Additionally, Parliament should serve as a platform for
advocating policies that address food insecurity, promote nutrition and
strengthen disaster resilience in the SADC region.
1.6 Social and Human Development
Human and social development in Southern Africa continues to be severely
mitigated by education constraints at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. It
is trite that the aspirations set out in the Sustainable Agenda 2030, the SADC
Vision 2050 or Africa Agenda 2063 require skilled African labour which is hinged
on quality education which is universally accessible to all. Widespread
discrimination between girls and boys, child marriage and betrothals, early and
unintended pregnancies and child labour continue to be the main impediments
that hinder girl education in Southern Africa. More recently, climate disasters in
the form of cyclone or severe droughts have also caused significant school
dropouts in affected regions. Against this background, poverty continues to be
an overarching theme which draws children out of school.
The right to education is further encroached by lack of logistics and
infrastructure to dispense basic education. Insufficient admission seats in
schools, lack of teachers and inadequate teaching facilities threatens to render
African education obsolete and uncompetitive with current world standards.
While brain drain channels the elite of Africa outside the continent, those who
stay to become professionals tend to prefer ICT jobs or more trendy vocations
rather than become teachers. If the education sector is generally undermined,
this further impacts on smart education agendas which call for life skills
learning that includes comprehensive sexuality education, stress management,
and health education which is crucial to prevent malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS.
While Asia and Latin America are developing innovative education practices and
are catching up quickly with North America and Europe, Africa may be the only
continent that is strongly lacking behind in its education agenda.
It is faced with this realisation that the African Union has chosen Education as
its 2024 theme and is coming forward with a Roadmap for Education to
incentivise Member States to implement prompt measures that may eliminate
the root causes that hinder education at all levels.
Since Parliaments are agents of change, it is thus imperative that the
enhancement of the education system and its current bottlenecks are discussed
at parliamentary level so that Member States can feed the information generated
into further discussions at SADC-PF and AU level.
1.7 Peace, Security and Good Governance
While the political and security situation in the region remains relatively stable,
there are several threats to peace and stability. These include intra-state
tensions, terrorism, violent extremism, food and energy insecurity, natural
disasters, and pandemics, among other challenges. DRC and Mozambique are
experiencing acts of terrorism and violent extremism which are not only
disrupting peace and security but are also resulting in loss of life and internal
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displacement. Of greater concern is the fact that the prevalence of poverty,
inequality, and unemployment in the communities affected by terrorism, along
with a general lack of development, are being exploited by terrorist groups to
garner local support. This complicates efforts to combat terrorism and violent
extremism. The island states, namely Madagascar, Seychelles and Comoros,
along with Mozambique, have consistently faced the threat of piracy from
criminals operating off the eastern coast of Africa, especially within the western
Indian Ocean. This situation places additional pressure on these nations to
intensify their naval patrols and implement more security measures, in addition
to joining international efforts to address the root causes of piracy.
On the governance front, while strong public institutions are essential for
democratic accountability, recent evidence, such as the Afrobarometer survey
from 2021, unfortunately indicates a disconcerting trend of declining public
trust in these institutions and in public leaders. This can be attributed to their
failure to effectively combat corruption and ensure accountability. In 2022, a
study conducted by SADC PF on the separation of powers and checks and
balances in the region revealed that, although the legal frameworks of countries
generally recognised the concept of separation of powers, in practice,
parliaments often exhibited weaknesses and tended to be subservient to the
executive.
Concerns have also been raised about a democratic deficit in the institutional
mechanisms for safeguarding human rights. Consequently, there is a growing
consensus on the necessity to strengthen the role of parliaments in this context.
Although SADC PF has adopted the Principles and Guidelines for Parliaments in
Promoting Human Rights in the SADC region, there remains a significant amount
of work for parliaments to undertake in establishing the required structures and
processes to prioritise human rights in their legislative and oversight functions.
2.0 PUBLIC HEARING SESSION AS A PLATFORM TO BRIDGE THE
ENGAGEMENT GAP AND AMPLIFY CITIZENS’ VOICES IN REGIONAL
INTEGRATION
In view of bridging the gap between citizens and regional integration processes
and in accordance with its founding values, the SADC PF has consistently
focused its efforts on bridging the gap between citizens and the regional
integration process by engaging parliamentarians as the people’s elected
representatives. SADC PF successfully conducted its inaugural public hearing
session for its Standing Committees from 25th to 29th November 2022, under the
theme: CONSOLIDATING DEMOCRACY BY BRINGING PARLIAMENT TO THE
PEOPLE. The session proved to be very popular among citizens of the region as
it offered them an opportunity to express their views on critical issues that are
essential for addressing the daily challenges they face.
SADC PF will build on the success of the inaugural public hearing session by
hosting a second public hearing session for its Standing Committees under the
theme: AMPLIFYING CITIZENS’ VOICES IN REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA: BRIDGING THE ENGAGEMENT GAP BY BRINGING
PARLIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE. This is in line with its policy decision that one of
the two annual Committee Sessions should be a public hearing session in order
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to give citizens a platform to voice their opinions on regional issues of interest
and concern on a regular basis. The public hearings session for Standing
Committees will take place ahead of the SADC PF 54th Plenary Assembly Session
to be held in November/December 2023.
Conducting public hearings is in line with the fundamental principles of
democracy, which emphasise the importance of safeguarding the expression of
the people’s will through their elected representatives. Parliamentarians must
bear the responsibility of engaging citizens consistently during their tenure to
foster harmony, promote public satisfaction and prevent disruptions to peace,
legal order and social stability.
For SADC PF, public hearings represent a strategic opportunity to amplify
citizens’ voices in the regional integration process. This is critical as it promotes
inclusivity and reinforces democratic values. Given that regional integration
significantly impacts citizens, it becomes imperative to consider their
perspectives. Conducting these hearings virtually serves to overcome
geographical barriers, enabling citizens from various countries and backgrounds
to participate actively. Such inclusivity aligns with democratic principles and
ensures that regional policies reflect the diverse populations within the SADC
region.
Another crucial role of public hearings is to enhance transparency and
accountability regarding regional and international commitments. Bringing
Parliament to the people through virtual public hearings creates an open and
transparent channel for citizens to engage with their elected representatives.
This transparency strengthens trust in the regional integration process, as
citizens can directly make submission and witness firsthand as
parliamentarians discuss, debate and make recommendations. Furthermore,
the public hearings hold lawmakers accountable for their actions and decisions,
as citizens have a direct platform to voice concerns, seek clarifications, and
demand accountability from and through their representatives. This promotes a
culture of responsiveness to the needs and concerns of the public, which
strengthens the democratic process and reinforces the bond between citizens
and their government.
Public hearings also play a crucial role in promoting informed decision-making.
Regional integration is inherently complex, with wide-ranging implications. By
actively involving citizens in these hearings, the SADC PF ensures that people
are well-informed about regional issues, including aspects such as the benefits
and challenges of implementing model laws and other regional commitments.
The more informed citizens are, the better equipped they become to provide
constructive input and demand accountability. This, in turn, contributes to the
development of more effective regional integration policies and agreements.
Another critical value of public hearings is their contribution to conflict
prevention and resolution. When citizens are denied the chance to express their
views or voice dissatisfaction, frustration can build. Public hearings offer a
peaceful and organised platform for citizens to be heard and for addressing any
concerns they may have. This process allows grievances to be aired and resolved
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through constructive dialogue, thereby reducing the likelihood of conflicts that
could otherwise arise due to misunderstandings or unaddressed concerns.
Public hearings also help to foster regional identity and solidarity.
As the SADC PF is in the process of evolving into a consultative and deliberative
SADC Regional Parliament, public hearings present an opportunity to enhance
citizen participation. Standing Committees provide the ideal platform for
conducting these public hearings across various thematic areas.
3.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING SESSION
The objectives of the public hearing session are as follows:
(i) Uphold the fundamental principles of democracy by creating a platform
for citizens to freely express their views, allowing SADC PF Standing
Committees to collect submissions and feedback from citizens,
stakeholders and experts regarding thematic issues and policies;
(ii) Foster inclusivity in governance by ensuring that the voices of a diverse
range of stakeholders, including marginalized and underrepresented
groups, are heard and considered in regional processes;
(iii) Enhance citizen engagement and amplify citizens’ voices in the regional
integration process by providing a platform for citizens to submit their
input, voice concerns, ask questions, seek clarification, and make
recommendations on matters of regional significance;
(iv) Promote transparency and accountability in the domestication of regional
and international commitments by establishing an open and transparent
channel for citizens to engage with parliamentarians;
(v) Contribute to conflict prevention and resolution by providing citizens with
a peaceful and organised platform to voice their concerns and grievances;
and
(vi) Cultivate a sense of regional identity and solidarity among SADC citizens.
4.0 SCOPE AND FOCUS
The SADC PF plays a vital role in facilitating regional cooperation, integration,
and development within the SADC region. This role pertains to connecting
citizens with various regional and international development frameworks,
including the SADC Common Agenda outlined in Article 5A of the SADC Treaty,
SADC Vision 2050, the RISDP 2020-2030, Africa Agenda 2063 and the UN
Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.
To assist member states in adhering to these commitments, the SADC PF has
taken proactive steps by developing a range of model laws and reference
instruments. These resources serve as valuable tools to guide member states in
the process of incorporating regional and international commitments into their
national legal frameworks. Despite these efforts, substantial challenges continue
to persist, primarily revolving around the slow pace of domestication and the
subsequent implementation of these model laws and regional commitments.
This is due to various factors including bureaucratic complexities within
member states, limited capacity and resources for effectively translating regional
agreements into national laws, and sometimes, political and administrative
bottlenecks that impede the smooth adoption of these commitments. As a result,
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the full potential of these model laws and regional commitments to drive regional
cooperation and integration remains untapped.
Recognising these challenges is essential as it highlights the need for concerted
efforts to overcome them. The public hearing session provides a valuable
opportunity to gather insights, perspectives and recommendations from citizens,
stakeholders, and experts. These inputs are critical for understanding the
intricacies of the current situation, identifying barriers to progress and
formulating actionable strategies to expedite the domestication and effective
implementation of model laws and regional commitments.
5.0 PARTICIPANTS AND STAKEHOLDERS
The participants and stakeholders for the public hearing session will include
diverse individual citizens and groups who have a keen interest in and expertise
related to the various issues and topics being discussed by the different Standing
Committees. Interpretation services in English, French, and Portuguese will be
available in accordance with the language policy to broaden linguistic reach.
The following are the participants and stakeholders for the session:
(i) Members of Parliament (MPs) and Staff of Parliaments
SADC PF Standing Committees and the Regional Women’s Parliamentary
Caucus will engage citizens, stakeholders and experts during public hearings.
SADC PF Member Parliaments can facilitate their MPs who are not Members of
SADC PF to attend as observers in line with the Rules of Procedure.
Parliamentary staff are also welcome to attend.
(ii) The General Citizenry
Open invitations will be extended to the general citizenry to participate in the
public hearing session in order to allow citizens to voice their opinions and
concerns directly.
(iii) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
CSOs and advocacy groups with expertise and interests in relevant topics will
attend the public hearing session and provide valuable insights and
recommendations. A diverse attendance of groups will enhance discussions,
recommendations and outcomes and contribute to the session’s success.
(iv) Academics and Experts
Scholars, researchers and subject matter experts can contribute their knowledge
and expertise during the public hearings.
(v) Community Leaders
Leaders from various communities within the SADC region may be invited to
ensure that grassroots perspectives are included in the discussions.
(vi) Private Sector Representatives
Representatives from businesses and industries will be invited to attend in view
of their important contribution to the region’s industrial and economic
development.
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(vii) Regional and International Organisations
UN agencies, along with other international and regional organisations, will
participate in the public hearings and interact with the Standing Committees to
discuss the domestication of regional agreements and linkages with
international development goals.
(viii) Marginalised and Vulnerable Groups
Efforts will be made to ensure the participation of marginalised and vulnerable
groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities, to ensure that
their voices are heard and considered.
(ix) Media
Media organisations will be crucial in reporting on the public hearing session,
helping to raise awareness and disseminate information about the discussions.
(x) Development Partners
International development agencies and donor organisations that support
regional development initiatives will also participate in the session.
6.0 METHODOLOGY
The methodology for conducting the virtual public hearing session by SADC PF
Standing Committees is deliberately structured to facilitate meaningful
engagement between MPs and a diverse array of stakeholders. A broad spectrum
of topics on regional issues has been selected, aligning with regional
development frameworks that are in harmony with continental and international
standards, as well as the mandates of the various Committees.
To ensure diversity and inclusivity, the public hearings will be widely publicised
through various channels to ensure that citizens, groups and stakeholders are
aware of the opportunity to participate and make their voices heard.
Registration is open to all interested parties who will have a chance to submit
their contributions, whether in the form of research papers, policy
recommendations or position statements. The virtual format of the session
makes it possible for SADC PF not to place a limit to the number of participants
allowed to take part during the meetings.
Registration is open to all interested parties, providing them with the opportunity
to submit their contributions in various formats, including lived experiences,
research papers, policy recommendations or position statements. The virtual
format of the session allows SADC PF not to impose a limit on the number of
participants allowed to join the meetings.
Each presenter will be allotted a maximum of 10 minutes to deliver their
submission. To be admissible, submissions must be received by 28th September
2023 via the following email addresses: skurasha@sadcpf.org and cc.
pkanguatjivi@sadcpf.org.
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Each submission should clearly specify the relevant Standing Committee and
the specific issue or issues it addresses. It is acceptable to make multiple
submissions covering different issues to various Standing Committees. A
submission should not exceed 2 pages and must be written in Word using the
Bookman Old Style font, size 12. Early submission is essential to ensure timely
translation into the official languages.
Presenters will be informed of their allocated time slot. Furthermore, presenters
must provide their WhatsApp number to facilitate effective communication and
coordination.
After the public hearings, proceedings will be meticulously documented, and
each Standing Committee will submit its report to the 54th Plenary Assembly
Session to be held in November/December 2023.
The SADC PF Secretariat will also analyse all the submissions to identify
common themes and recommendations and use them to inform future
programming priorities and actions.
7.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The expected outcomes of the public hearing session are as follows:
(i) Upholding of the fundamental principles of democracy of creating a
platform for citizens to freely express their views to the SADC PF Standing
Committees through submissions and feedback on thematic issues and
policies.
(ii) Fostered inclusivity in governance by ensuring that the voices of a diverse
range of stakeholders, including marginalised and underrepresented
groups, are heard and considered in regional processes.
(iii) Enhanced citizen engagement and amplified citizens’ voices in the regional
integration process by providing a platform for citizens to submit their
input, voice concerns, ask questions, seek clarification, and make
recommendations on matters of regional significance.
(iv) Enhanced promotion of transparency and accountability in the
domestication of regional and international commitments by establishing
an open and transparent channel for citizens to engage with
parliamentarians.
(v) Enhanced conflict prevention and resolution capacity by providing citizens
with a peaceful and organised platform to voice their concerns and
grievances.
(vi) Strengthened regional identity and solidarity among SADC citizens
through regional cohesion and cooperation.
8.0 AGENDAS AND TOPICS FOR EACH STANDING COMMITTEE
The virtual public hearings will cover a range of topics aligned with the key focus
areas of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Plan 2020-2030 and the
mandates of the various Standing Committees. Below is a list of thematic content
(enunciative only and non-limited) which may be dealt with by each Standing
Parliamentary Committee depending on the nature of concerns raised by
citizens:
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a. Regional Women Parliamentary Caucus
1. How can parliamentary institutions enhance their structures and
policies to become more gender-sensitive and inclusive, ensuring that
women’s voices and perspectives are effectively integrated into
legislative processes and decision-making?
2. How can regional policies and initiatives be leveraged to advance
gender equality and the empowerment of women in education,
economic participation, and political representation?
3. What challenges and opportunities exist for improving women’s
access to quality healthcare, including sexual and reproductive
health services in the region?
4. What strategies can be implemented to increase women’s
participation and representation in political decision-making
processes, including electoral systems and quotas?
5. How can barriers to girls and women’s education and skills
development be overcome to ensure they have equal access to
educational opportunities?
6. What unique challenges do rural women face and how can the digital
gender gaps be bridged?
7. How can the region better recognise and address the intersecting
forms of discrimination and inequality that affect women?
b. Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and
Youth Development
1. How the domestication of the SADC Model Law on Gender-Based
Violence at the national level be expedited and what concrete steps
can be taken to proactively prevent gender-based violence in
communities and ensure comprehensive support and justice for
survivors?
2. How can regional and continental economic policies, including the
AfCFTA, be harnessed to promote women and youth’s economic
inclusion, entrepreneurship, access to financial resources and close
the gender pay gap for marginalised women, young girls, and youth?
3. How can opportunities for youth development and empowerment be
enhanced, including access to education, employment, and
leadership roles, while ensuring gender equality and inclusivity?
4. What strategies can be adopted to increase youth political
participation and representation in decision-making bodies, and
what role can youth play in advocating for gender equity in politics?
5. What challenges exist in ensuring women and youth have equitable
access to quality healthcare, including SRH services and what
solutions can be explored?
6. How can barriers to education and skills development for young girls
and women be eliminated to ensure that they have equal access to
educational opportunities?
7. What mechanisms can be put in place to ensure that national
budgets are gender-responsive, addressing the specific needs and
rights of women and youth?
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8. How can the intersecting forms of discrimination and inequality faced
by women and youth, particularly those from marginalised
backgrounds. be better recognised and addressed in policies and
programmes?
c. Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special
Programmes
1. How can Parliament collaborate with relevant stakeholders to address
gender discrimination in Southern African education, including child
marriage and child labour that affect girls’ access to education?
2. What strategies can be implemented to mitigate the impact of climate
disasters, such as cyclones and severe droughts, on school dropouts
in affected regions, and how can Parliament support these initiatives?
3. What measures can Parliament propose to alleviate poverty as a
primary factor drawing children out of school, particularly in regions
with high poverty rates?
4. How can Parliament address the lack of logistics and infrastructure
affecting basic education in the region, including issues like
insufficient admission seats, teacher shortages, and inadequate
teaching facilities?
5. What strategies can be employed to attract and retain skilled
professionals in the education sector, including teachers, to ensure
the quality and competitiveness of African education?
6. How can Parliament contribute to the promotion of smart education
agendas, including life skills learning such as comprehensive
sexuality education, stress management, and health education,
especially in the context of preventing diseases like malaria, TB, and
HIV/AIDS?
7. What lessons can be learned from innovative education practices in
other regions like Asia and Latin America, and how can these
practices be adapted to improve education in Southern Africa?
8. How can Parliament actively engage with the African Union’s 2024
theme of Education and its Roadmap for Education to incentivise
Member States to implement measures aimed at eliminating the root
causes hindering education at all levels?
d. Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance and Human
Rights
1. How can regional initiatives and policies better support women’s
active and meaningful participation in peace and security and what
specific measures are needed to ensure their protection and inclusion
in conflict resolution?
2. What regional initiatives and collaborative efforts can enhance peace
and security in the SADC region given recent developments and
emerging threats?
3. What steps can Parliaments take to support the implementation of
the SADC Regional Counter Terrorism Strategy?
4. How can SADC Member States collectively address terrorism and
violent extremism and promote regional stability and what strategies
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should be employed to prevent radicalisation and promote regional
stability?
5. What measures and policies can be implemented to protect and
include persons with albinism, combat discrimination, and violence
against them?
6. What steps are needed to strengthen democratic institutions,
promote the rule of and ensure transparency and accountability?
7. How can Member States expedite the domestication and
implementation of the SADC Model Law on Elections for inclusive and
credible electoral processes and outcomes?
8. How can intra-state conflicts be prevented and resolved and what
measures can be taken to strengthen regional mechanisms for
peaceful dispute resolution?
9. What strategies can be undertaken to promote human rights and how
can SADC countries collaborate to uphold these rights?
10. How can CSOs play a more active and constructive role in advancing
democracy, human rights, and good governance within the SADC
region?
e. Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment
1. How can vulnerable groups be cushioned amidst the regional
economic slowdown?
2. How has the Russia-Ukraine conflict affected trade and investment
in the SADC region, and what strategies can mitigate its impact?
3. How should SADC states manage rising debt and ensure fiscal
sustainability?
4. How can SADC countries create inclusive economic policies that
benefit all citizens and promote equitable economic growth?
5. In the face of economic shocks and what strategies can be employed
to build economic resilience and ensure the stability of regional
economies?
6. What steps are needed to expedite the domestication and effective
implementation of the SADC Model Law on Public Financial
Management by Member States for transparency and accountability
in public finances?
7. How can cross-border trading within SADC be streamlined to
promote economic integration and the growth of small-scale and
informal businesses?
8. How can the benefits of public and private infrastructure projects be
maximised to facilitate access to essential services and economic
opportunities for citizens?
9. How countries attract investments for regional economic growth and
job creation?
f. Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
1. What can countries enhance their preparedness and response
strategies to address the growing threat of climate change-induced
droughts and flooding on food security and nutrition?
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2. In light of recent tropical cyclones, what measures should be taken
to enhance resilience in communities in terms of infrastructure and
protecting human life and livelihoods?
3. What strategies can be employed to secure sustainable climate
financing for adaptation and mitigation efforts, and how can these
funds be effectively utilised?
4. What specific adaptation and mitigation measures must be prioritised
for building resilience to climate change impacts in the region?
5. How can parliaments assume a more robust role in responding to
climate-related crises and ensuring prompt, coordinated actions?”
6. What strategies can be employed to prevent the disruption of clean
water supply and sanitation in communities susceptible to cyclones
to curb the spread of waterborne diseases?
7. How can SADC countries collectively address the threat posed by
African migratory locusts and their impact on food security and
grazing land?
8. What steps should SADC Member States take to maximise the
sustainable exploitation of transitional minerals, ensuring economic
benefits and environmental protection?
9. How can SADC Member States enhance the protection and promotion
of women’s access to land and their land rights within the region?
10. What measures can be implemented to safeguard human and
community rights and protect the environment while promoting
gender justice in mining communities in the region?
9.0 PROGRAMME, DATE AND TIME
The public hearings are scheduled to take place virtually on Zoom from 11th to
18th as outlined in the program below. Each Committee will convene from 09:00
to 10:30 to consider internal matters and prepare for the public hearings. The
public hearing session will officially commence at 11:00 and conclude at 16:30,
with designated breaks for health and lunch. There will be one Committee per
day to ensure maximum participation by the citizens and stakeholders.
DATE STANDING
COMMITTEE
TIME ZOOM LINK
Wednesd
a
11 Oct
Regional
Women’s
Parliamentary
Caucus
09:00–
16:30
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ
IocumppzsjHNWDoYYNNwUerBHPiZkOsv-r
Thursday
12 Oct
Gender Equality,
Women
Advancement
and Youth
Development
09:00–
16:30
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ
wvdOqurzssHtar2Q731o3qS1Pg2ta7OJKV
Friday
13 Oct
Human and
Social
Development &
Special
Programmes
09:00–
16:30
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ
MrdeuorzgsGtFLmmHnhw7_rERbLalB0OmL
Page 15 of 15