By Health Reporter
Sexual ReproductiveHealth and Rights, SRHR policy and project implementation was viewed as a key enabler for sustainable development potentially exceeding its perceived main sector of origin and influence, health, thereby potentially availing positive trends across most parliamentary and thematic sectors.
The remarks where made by speakers ath the launch of the Swedish and Soutern African Development Committee Parliamentary Forum, SADC PF, 5million US$ funding for continued support for SHRH projects in the region, in Harare today.
While SHRH was viewed as having direct impact in its specific sector of origin, health, its impact in other sector’s can never be undermined.
“The regional health perspective of SRHR is of paramount importance to SADC given the various illnesses and ailments which have a cross-boundary nature, HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria to cite but a few.” SADC PF Secretary General, Ms B.Sekgoma said.
On the other hand, “I wish to emphasize that this Project is a governance project which has cross-linkages with different Committees of Parliament, and it aspires to explore the interconnections of SRHR with other thematic areas such as the environment and climate action, women empowerment, social security and other related fields.” Sekgoma also said
.Furthermore, “It is also crucial to note that the Project gives an opportunity for Parliament to reflect on germane development issues such as climate change, prison oversight, the protection of sensitive assets and the protection of critical minerals, constitutionalism and the Rule of Law, which are themes to be addressed whilst the Forum proceeds with the corresponding Model Laws.” Sekgoma ellucidated.
Zimbabwe was commended for being a pacesetter in SHRH policy wose efforts are creating an operational benchmark for the region and beyond.
“Today, we are aware that several SADC countries benchmark on the Marriage Act of Zimbabwe as a brilliant example that change for the better is possible, and that both Parliament and the Executive take SRHR protection seriously.” SADC PF Ms B.Sekgoma
The project is expected to aggravate SADC countrys’ migration to self dependency in health care funding at a time African Nations have been criticised for falling short of the dictates of the Abuja declaration.
“During the current phase (2023 to 2026) , the focus of the Project is also on health financing, with the aim to increase revenue collection for health, whilst moving away from foreign funding and bringing in innovative means to domestic financing and strengthening health systems.” Sekgoma emphasised.
Calls were made for a conciliatory approach as the phenomenon receives cultural and religious criticism within African culture in general and SADC in particular, with emphasis on calls for unity.
“However, in exercising this right, one has to be cognisant of the contestation of the exigencies of cultural and religious persuasions and promptings that may negate the actualization of this right.” Zimbabwe’s Speaker of Parliament and Chairperson of the Strategic Lobbying Team of the Transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament Jacob Mudenda said.
Segkoma on the other hand concured in saying, “Due to the sensitivity of issues involved, SRHR advancement requires a constant dialogue and engagement with civil society, as well as faith leaders and youth representatives to promote solutions through a conciliatory approach.”
SHRH policy, issues are in integral part in deconstructing Africa’s patriarchal nurture and establishing systems that develop health, social and policy systems of repute and international excellence.