Matutu maintained that electoral risks can undermine the credibility of the entire electoral process and weaken the legitimacy of any elected officials.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Tofa said the agenda is pivotal as it resonates with the overarching desire of an Africa fit for children,

RM: Optimistic but realistic. It’s a big challenge. We are facing many factors that are beyond anyone’s control, but we must do what we can.

Chiviya served as secretary-general of the SADC PF from August 2009 to June 2019.

She reiterated the need for national parliaments to provide oversight on the implementation of Article 11 of the African Children’s Charter relating to the human right to education.

She noted that International IDEA had a “footprint in Europe and beyond” and expressed hope that the collaboration under the new MoU would be mutually beneficial.

She listed among the top achievements, the appointment of women to the highest echelons of leadership in some countries. 

For it to transform into a SADC Parliament, 12 SADC member States are required to sign the agreement to amend the treaty establishing the SADC PF.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

The forum’s partnership framework as well as the results of past partnership initiatives would act as a guiding benchmark for the next five years, she added.

The DRC became the 12th SADC member State to sign, reaching the quorum for the 16-member bloc to set up a regional parliament.

Mudenda noted that several Sadc countries had promulgated constitutions which accentuate the conservation of the environment as a fundamental human right.

The conference, convened by Students And Youth Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT), is being hosted by the University of Botswana.