The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will today and tomorrow participate in the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit, which is being held in Paris, France, under the auspices of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Parliament said in a statement that the summit provides women holding the highest decision-making positions in world parliaments with a platform to exchange ideas and experiences of national and international interest. Attending the summit are women Speakers of national parliaments and women Presidents of regional and international parliamentary assemblies that are associate members of the IPU.
Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula will be one of the two keynote speakers on the topic, “Education in equality: Health and the fight against violence towards women”. The other keynote speaker is the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Ms Eliane Tillieux.
The summit will also discuss “Gender equality, parity and empowerment in politics: Female role models”. The speakers of Germany and Mexico will address this topic.
Parliament says this year’s gathering also reaffirms the IPU’s unwavering support for women's rights and promotes parliamentary diplomacy. Delegates will use this summit to condemn sexual violence against women in times of conflict in violation of international law, including the abhorrent use of rape as a weapon of war.
Other participants in the discussion forums include human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk, the head of the Ukrainian 2022 Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation Centre for Civil Liberties.
Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Ms Nancy Pelosi, will also participate in the forum, while the President of the French National Assembly, Ms Yaël Braun-Pivet, will officiate at the summit, representing France as the host nation.
The National Assembly Speaker is accompanied by the Deputy Chief Whip of the majority party in the NA, Ms Doris Dlakude, and other senior parliamentary officials.
Sakhile Mokoena
6 March 2024
Arrange a tour