October 14,2024

SADC PF Secretary General Boemo Sekgoma Calls for Inclusive Policies to Empower Girls and Women in Africa

Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (PF), has called for the creation of inclusive policies that uplift girls and women across Africa. She condemned harmful practices such as child marriage, betrothals, and female genital mutilation, emphasizing their detrimental impact on the development of girls on the continent.

“These practices are abhorrent to democracy and must be eradicated if we are to see any real progress,” Sekgoma stated, reinforcing the need for decisive action.

She reaffirmed the SADC PF’s commitment to advancing key legal frameworks, including the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage, the Model Law on Gender-Based Violence, and the Model Law on Public Financial Management. Sekgoma stressed that protecting girls is not optional, but essential.

In alignment with the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, she urged member parliaments and governments to ensure that girls' voices are included in decision-making processes. “It is imperative that girls in Africa are not only heard but are active planners and visionaries of their own futures,” she added.