ARUSHA: SOUTH African parliamentary delegation has called for stronger protection of the health rights, autonomy and dignity of women and girls with disabilities.
They called on fellow parliamentarians from across the globe to address barriers that limit women and girls’ ability to make decisions about their own health and lives.
The call was made during the Forum of Women Parliamentarians at the ongoing 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha.
Permanent Delegate to the National Council of Provinces, Ms Jane Mananiso, called for stronger provisions in the draft resolution on inclusive social development to address barriers affecting women and girls with disabilities in making decisions concerning their own health.
She urged parliamentarians to strengthen the resolution in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The draft resolution, titled “Inclusive social development for all: Parliamentary strategies to promote the rights and empowerment of persons living with disabilities”, is among the substantive issues being considered at the Assembly.
The South African delegation also called for explicit recognition of the rights of parents with disabilities, including access to appropriate and non-discriminatory family support services where required.
Ms Mananiso said disability alone should not be used as a basis for restricting the parental rights of persons with disabilities.
The discussion also highlighted the scale of disability globally, with the Forum noting that about 1.3 billion people, equivalent to 16 per cent of the world’s population, live with disabilities.
The delegation further linked disability inclusion with women’s participation in leadership and peacebuilding.
Ms Doris Mpapane, a Member of the National Assembly and part of the South African delegation, said increasing women’s representation in leadership should be accompanied by conditions that enable women to exercise leadership sustainably and meaningfully.
She pointed to the disproportionate care responsibilities carried by many women serving in demanding public roles and called for institutional measures to enable them to participate in public life while safeguarding their wellbeing.
Ms Mpapane also said parliamentarians should examine whether laws and policies were producing meaningful changes in the lives of women rather than focusing only on representation.
On peacebuilding, she called for stronger parliamentary oversight to promote women’s participation and leadership in peace processes at both domestic and international levels.
She said women’s representation should contribute to inclusive peace processes and translate into concrete measures to protect women and girls from violence.
The Forum of Women Parliamentarians is among the bodies meeting during the 153rd IPU Assembly, which is being held in Arusha from October 5 to 9 under the theme “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all.”
