Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, speaker of the National Assembly, claims that despite recent improvements in women’s participation, there has been insufficient progress toward establishing gender equality across the socioeconomic range in international parliaments.
Women have made significant progress in their fights for equality and for the right to be heard in both the home and at work, according to Mapisa-Nqakula.
Mapisa-Nqakula made the comments on Friday in Jakarta, Indonesia, during the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20 Speakers’ Summit).
In close collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia held the two-day summit of G20 country speakers (IPU).
Mapisa-Nqakula praised revolutionary legislation aimed at enhancing women’s participation and engagement in politics and the economy while addressing delegates during a discussion on “Social inclusion, gender equality, and women empowerment.”
The legislation’s ability to affect practical, significant improvements in the lives of women, however, “has not been forthcoming.”
Mapisa-Nqakula cautioned the P20 Speakers that the path ahead is still arduous and protracted and asked them to quicken the pace of change.
She issued a warning that unless all countries embrace new approaches from those used in the past, the objectives outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Agenda 2063 may not be reached.
In addition, the Speaker stated that COVID-19, the consequences of climate change, and economic instability, which have exacerbated economic insecurity in many regions of the globe, have undone the gains made so far.
She asked the P20 parliamentarians to step up their efforts in order to fulfill the goals outlined in the Beijing Platform for Action, which include the protection, advancement, and development of all women, especially female lawmakers everywhere.
Mapisa-Nqakula emphasized issues that still affect women and girls in general, such as gender-based violence and the prevalence of child marriages in many countries.
We applaud the progress made in gaining women’s representation.
The Speaker cited the adoption of the Model Law on Gender-Based Violence to guide and harmonize laws and enhance execution results as well as the presence of women in leadership and management roles in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The establishment of a 50:50 ratio for men and women participation across the board has contributed to the achievement of 46% female representation in Parliament, 62% in the public sector, and 45% among the 256 judges.
Mapisa-Nqakula remarked that these accomplishments and the recent appointment of a female deputy chief justice were admirable milestones in the right direction.