By Aldridge Dzvene | Positive Eye News
The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) has urged parliaments across the region to intensify efforts in promoting peace, gender equality, and inclusive governance amid growing global instability and escalating conflicts.
In a statement released on Sunday to mark the International Day of Parliamentarism, SADC-PF Secretary General, Ms Boemo M. Sekgoma, said the role of parliamentarians in safeguarding peace and human rights is more critical than ever, particularly as the international order faces increased strain from armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
“The time is nigh for MPs, both men and women, to garner their representative mandate and dismount the prospect of war between nations, de-escalate intra-state conflicts, and ensure that budgets are prioritised to address the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including enabling Universal Health Coverage,” she said.
The Secretary General emphasized that many governments are diverting resources to military spending at the expense of essential public services like healthcare, education, and climate adaptation. She warned that such trends risk undermining peace-building and social protection systems in vulnerable communities.
“The pool of resources available for human-centric services is shrinking due to growing investments in weaponry. Parliamentarians must reassert their role in promoting cooperation, diplomacy, and legislative oversight to ensure funds support development rather than destruction,” she added.
Ms Sekgoma further highlighted the need to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding and governance, aligning with the 2025 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) theme, “Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action.”
“It has been demonstrated time and again that women MPs can be efficient emissaries of peace. Including women and youth in parliamentary dialogue is not only necessary for legitimacy, but also critical for lasting solutions,” she noted.
The statement also called on parliaments to pursue legislation that fosters conflict resolution, enhances diplomacy, and protects vulnerable populations from the impacts of war and displacement.
This year’s commemorations come as several African nations grapple with internal conflicts, fragile democracies, and socio-economic challenges compounded by global crises. SADC-PF reaffirmed its commitment to promoting regional stability through the strengthening of legislative institutions.
“Parliament, as a democratic institution, is ideally positioned to demonstrate neutrality, to legislate or exercise oversight in view of diplomatic conflict resolution, and to promote peace through conciliatory measures,” said Ms Sekgoma.
The SADC Parliamentary Forum joins other regional and international bodies in marking the 30th of June as a day to reflect on the role of parliaments in advancing democracy, peace, and sustainable development.
