NWPL Speaker, Hon. Dantjie successfully launched Provincial Sub- National Branch for Commonwealth Programmes
On Monday, 5 June 2017, the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, (NWPL) Hon. Sussana Dantjie officially elected the leadership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Sub-National Branch, the Commonwealth Women’s Parliamentarians Chapter (CWP), and the Multi-Party Women Caucus of the North West province, at the Royal Chamber in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association links Members of States, National and Provincial Legislatures and Territorial Parliaments across the Commonwealth. The CPA was founded in 1911 and has 181 branches, both in Africa and international branches. Its mission is to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance.
The need of women’s representation in the political institutions, the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) was founded by women delegates at the 1989 plenary CPA conference to affirm the commitment of the Commonwealth Head of Governments to strengthen the participation of women in government and society.
The objective was to ensure that women could discuss ways to increase female representation in Parliament and work towards the mainstream of gender considerations in all CPA activities and programmes.
Hon. Virginia Tlhapi and Hon. Betty Diale were afforded the opportunity to take on the role of the task at hand, noting their extensive political role and young women leading and governing the interests of communities. Hon. Tlhapi was elected as the Chairperson, while Hon. Diale assumed the role of Deputy Chairperson for CWP chapter and Multi-Party Women Caucus
“We are confident of the capabilities attributed by the members elected for this branch, they have always exercised, integrity, commitment and dedication to their selfless work, to better the lives of community members,” said Hon. Dantjie.
The CWP Chapter and Multiparty Women Caucus will run concurrently with the CPA Sub National Branch. The CPA Provincial Sub-National Branch of the North West will be led by a Member of the Legislature, Hon. Boitumelo Moiloa, the elected Chairperson who has always represented the NWPL on CPA platforms.
The CPA North West Branch will consists of Hon. Virginia Tlhapi, Hon. Jacqueline Theologo, Hon. Leroi Mahlakeng and one member of the Executive Council, MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe. The committees will be enhanced through the establishment of the NWPL gender desk.
Hon. Raymond Elisha and Hon. Joel McGluwa were elected as members of the Legislature who will oversee the gender issues.
The launch was graced by the presence of the Executive Chairperson of CPA Africa Region, Hon Lindiwe Maseko and Hon. Thoko Didiza the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Chapter Africa Region.
Hon. Maseko condemned atrocities against women and children and called for these diabolic acts to come to an abrupt end.
“I would like to appeal to the new leadership to commit and revitalise the branch, so as diminish the diabolic acts against humanity once for all,” said Hon. Maseko
Hon. Didiza (MP) stated that “Women issues, are societal issues and that one of the principal clauses of the women's chapter for effective equality is about enabling women's representation in parliament and Legislature”
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