The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will host a Roundtable on Empowerment and Rights of Women, Children and the Elderly on Tuesday, 25 March 2014 in Parliament.
In pursuit of its constitutional injunction of overseeing the executive by facilitating public participation, the NCOP through the roundtable discussions aims to bring together academics, government leaders and civil society organisations with a view to reflect on the exercise of overseeing the protection and advancement of the rights of women, children and the elderly.
It is recognised that Parliament has a critical role to play in stimulating debates, influencing policies and programmes aimed at enhancing social conditions of women and children. Moreover, it has a responsibility to relay to the implementers of policy and legislation as well as civil society organisations its findings obtained during oversight activities on the state of child rights and women empowerment. The NCOP will ensure that experiences and lessons learnt during the last 20 years of democracy, with particular focus on the last five years, are transferred to the incoming 5th Parliament for more effective and more pronounced impact on the lives of South Africans.
There is a realisation that more effort is needed to protect and advance the rights of vulnerable groups especially against abuse. The roundtable is expected to be followed by a debate the following day, Wednesday 26 March at 14h00, under the topic 20 Years of Overseeing the Protection and the Advancement of Women, Children and the Elderly in the NCOP Chamber.
On the same day the House is scheduled to consider the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill.
Members of the media are invited to attend and must RSVP on or before 24 March 2014 to Mlindi Mpindi on mmpindi@parliament.gov.za or 021 403 2340 /073 197 1315 copying knoah@parliament.gov.za.
Details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday 25 March 2014
Time: 08h00 – 17h00
Venue: E249 National Assembly Building, Parliament
