Parliament, Tuesday, 5 March 2024 – The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will participate in the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit in Paris, France under the auspices of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU). The summit will span over two days and will begin Wednesday, 6 March until 7 March.
The summit provides women holding the highest decision-making positions in world parliaments with a platform to exchange ideas and experiences that are of national and international interest. Women Speakers of national parliaments and women Presidents of regional and international parliamentary assemblies that are associate members of the IPU will attend the summit.
This year, the women Speakers are gathering to reaffirm their unwavering support for women's rights and promote parliamentary diplomacy. Delegates will use this summit to denounce and strongly 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.
Various issues related to women will be aired in two discussion forums. The first forum will highlight themes of education, equality, health, and the fighting violence against women. The second forum will focus on gender equality, parity, and women's empowerment in politics.
The forums will feature voices such as the 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, Nancy Pelosi will also participate in the forum. The President of the French National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, will officiate the 2024 Women Speakers' Summit in the Palais Bourbon, the building that houses the Assembly.
Deputy Chief Whip of the majority party in the NA, Ms Doris Dlakude, will accompany the Speaker.
Media wishing to interview the Speaker about the Summit may contact the Spokesperson of Parliament, Mr Moloto Mothapo through WhatsApp on +27 82 370 6930.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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