For a soundbite by Ms Jane Mananiso, a delegate to the 153rd IPU, please click: https://iono.fm/e/1725310
Parliament, Tuesday, 6 October 2026 – The South African parliamentary delegation participating in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania, on Monday called for stronger protections for the health rights, autonomy and dignity of women and girls with disabilities.
Representing the South African delegation, Ms Jane Mananiso, who is a Permanent Delegate to the National Council of Provinces, made the call during the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, which considered the draft resolution titled “Inclusive social development for all: Parliamentary strategies to promote the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities.” Parliamentarians were considering measures to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities in society and to strengthen their rights through lawmaking, budgeting and parliamentary oversight.
Ms Mananiso called for the resolution to more clearly address the barriers that continue to affect women and girls with disabilities in making decisions concerning their own health. She urged strengthening its provisions in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The delegation also proposed explicit recognition of the rights of parents with disabilities, including access to appropriate, non-discriminatory family support services where needed. Ms Mananiso emphasised that disability alone should not justify restricting the parental rights of persons with disabilities.
The Forum’s briefing noted that approximately 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world’s population, live with disabilities, underscoring the importance of ensuring that disability inclusion remains central to parliamentary work.
In a discussion on women’s leadership in diplomacy and peacebuilding, Ms Doris Mpapane, a Member of the National Assembly and part of the delegation, highlighted the need to move beyond increasing women’s representation in leadership positions to creating conditions that enable women to exercise leadership sustainably and meaningfully. She pointed to the disproportionate care responsibilities many women carry while serving in demanding public roles and stressed the importance of institutional measures that enable women to contribute to public life while safeguarding their well-being. Ms Mpapane said attention should also be given to whether laws and policies are producing meaningful changes in women’s lives.
On peacebuilding, the delegation called for parliaments to exercise stronger oversight to promote women’s participation and leadership in peace processes at both domestic and international levels. Ms Mpapane emphasised that women’s representation should contribute to inclusive peace processes. This representation must also translate into concrete measures to protect women and girls from violence.
Ms Mpapane further stressed that women’s representation in leadership should not be viewed as an end in itself. Rather, attention should also be given to whether laws and policies are producing meaningful changes in the lives of women.
The 153rd IPU Assembly is being held in Arusha under the theme “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all.” The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, is expected to participate in the General Debate on the theme on Tuesday.
*The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments that facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development worldwide. Founded in 1889, the IPU brings together 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
For media interviews with the leader of the parliamentary delegation and NA Speaker, Ms Thoko Didiza, please contact: Mr Malatswa Molepo on 0815127920 (WhatsApp available) or Email: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson
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