Parliamentary Leadership from Zimbabwe in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union.
By Dickson Bandera
The Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, and the President of the Senate, Honourable Mabel Chinomona, along with Zimbabwean Members of Parliament, have arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and related meetings.
The IPU, founded in 1889, is a global organization that brings together national parliaments to promote democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.
The Assembly, running from April 4 to April 9, brings together representatives from 181 parliaments worldwide.
This year’s theme, “Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice,” will address critical issues such as poverty eradication, promoting decent work opportunities, fostering social inclusion, and increasing the participation of marginalized groups in decision-making processes.
A major highlight of the Assembly will be the 40th anniversary of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, which comes amid ongoing challenges to women’s rights and stagnation in female representation in global legislatures, currently at 27.2%, according to the latest IPU report.
Honourable Mabel Chinomona is scheduled to present a paper on April 5, outlining Zimbabwe’s position on issues affecting female parliamentarians and their role in legislative processes.
Additionally, the meetings will include updates from Africa’s representatives in the IPU Executive Committee, including a report from Retired Honourable Nelly Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia. These updates will shed light on Africa’s contributions and challenges within the IPU framework.
The 150th IPU Assembly presents a significant opportunity for Zimbabwe’s parliamentary leaders to engage in global discussions, contributing to social justice, inclusion, and the empowerment of women in politics.
