Paris to Host South Africa’s National Assembly Speaker at 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit

South Africa’s National Assembly Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will attend the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit in Paris, organized by the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), on March 6-7. The summit will bring together women Speakers of national parliaments and women Presidents of regional and international parliamentary assemblies to discuss urgent matters concerning women’s rights including education, equality, health, and the fight against violence. The South African delegation is expected to contribute substantially to the discussions and provide valuable insights based on the South African experience.

What is the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit?

The 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit is a two-day event organized by the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) that brings together women Speakers of national parliaments and women Presidents of regional and international parliamentary assemblies. The summit aims to provide a platform for women leaders to present their insights and experiences on both national and international stages, reaffirm their dedication to women’s rights, and discuss urgent matters concerning women such as education, equality, health, and the fight against violence. The next summit will take place in Paris, France on March 6-7, 2024.

South Africa’s National Assembly (NA) Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, is poised to lend her extensive expertise to the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit. The summit is set to take place in the historically rich city of Paris, France. The International Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the body responsible for the organization of this two-day event, which begins on Wednesday, 6 March and wraps up on 7 March.

Unique Opportunity for Women Leaders

The upcoming summit presents a crucial juncture for women leading the charge in global policymaking roles. It provides these women leaders with a platform to present their insights and experiences on both national and international stages. The invitees are women Speakers of national parliaments and women Presidents of regional and international parliamentary assemblies, all of whom are associate members of the IPU.

The 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit will serve as a gathering point for the women Speakers to reaffirm their steadfast dedication to women’s rights and extol the merits of parliamentary diplomacy. In a noteworthy move, the delegates plan to voice their unwavering condemnation of sexual violence against women during periods of conflict, standing firm against the blatant violation of international law as demonstrated in the abhorrent use of rape as a tool of war.

Discussion Topics at the Summit

The summit will feature two dialogue forums, each focusing on urgent matters concerning women. The first forum aims to shine a spotlight on education, equality, health, and the fight against violence against women. The second forum will delve further into issues of gender equality, parity, and the elevation of women in the political landscape.

Those attending will have the privilege of listening to distinguished voices such as Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights lawyer and the head of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ukrainian organization, Centre for Civil Liberties. The event’s impressive speaker list also includes former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. The 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit will be officially chaired by Yaël Braun-Pivet, the President of the French National Assembly, in the historic setting of the Palais Bourbon, the illustrious building where the Assembly convenes.

A South African delegation led by Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be accompanied on this significant trip by Ms Doris Dlakude, the Deputy Chief Whip of the majority party in the National Assembly. The South African delegation is anticipated to contribute substantially to the discussions and provide valuable insights based on the South African experience.

Media professionals wishing to gain insights from the Speaker about the Summit can schedule interviews via the Spokesperson of Parliament, Mr Moloto Mothapo, through WhatsApp.

South African Parliament’s Commitment to Transparency

This event aligns with the South African Parliament’s dedication to transparency, as upheld in its constitutional right to summon any person or organization to provide a report to it. This commitment extends to the public, who may arrange to visit Parliament, attend debates, or take a guided tour of the facilities.

The South African Parliament is represented by members from various provinces, including Ms Matshidiso Melina Gomba from the African National Congress provincial list for the province of Gauteng. She also serves on the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, one of the many committees within the Parliament.

A Significant Step Toward Gender Equality

The journey to the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit in Paris symbolizes a major stride in South Africa’s continuous pursuit of gender equality. The nation’s leaders persist in advocating for women’s rights and empowerment on an international platform.

Who will attend the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit?

The summit will bring together women Speakers of national parliaments and women Presidents of regional and international parliamentary assemblies, all of whom are associate members of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU). South Africa’s National Assembly Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will be attending the summit, accompanied by Ms Doris Dlakude, the Deputy Chief Whip of the majority party in the National Assembly.

What are the topics that will be discussed at the summit?

There will be two dialogue forums at the summit. The first forum will focus on urgent matters concerning women such as education, equality, health, and the fight against violence. The second forum will delve further into issues of gender equality, parity, and the elevation of women in the political landscape.

Who are some of the distinguished voices that will be speaking at the summit?

The summit will feature several distinguished voices, including Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights lawyer and the head of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ukrainian organization, Centre for Civil Liberties, and former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

What is the significance of the South African delegation’s attendance at the summit?

The South African delegation is expected to contribute substantially to the discussions and provide valuable insights based on the South African experience. This demonstrates the nation’s leaders’ commitment to advocating for women’s rights and empowerment on an international platform.

How can media professionals schedule interviews with Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula about the summit?

Media professionals can schedule interviews with Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula about the summit through the Spokesperson of Parliament, Mr Moloto Mothapo, via WhatsApp.

What is the South African Parliament’s commitment to transparency?

The South African Parliament is committed to transparency, as upheld in its constitutional right to summon any person or organization to provide a report to it. This commitment extends to the public, who may arrange to visit Parliament, attend debates, or take a guided tour of the facilities.