Times Of Swaziland: MPS WANT 60TH CONSTITUENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

MPS WANT 60TH CONSTITUENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
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Nonduduzo Kunene on 15/10/2024 08:45:00


PIGG’S PEAK – Members of Parliament (MPs) will move a motion for the
formation of a 60th constituency that will be strictly for persons with
disabilities.
The call to move this motion was amplified yesterday at Pigg’s Peak Hotel,
during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum,
Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) HIV/AIDS Governance Project
workshop. The workshop was aimed at sensitising MPs on disability and sexual
reproductive health and rights.
During the workshop, challenges faced by persons with disabilities were analysed
in detail. Further, calls were made to the legislators to make Eswatini a
comfortable place for persons with disabilities. The workshop also brought
together the Disability Departments under the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM)
Office, the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) European Union (EU), as well
as the Federation of Organisations of The Disabled People in Swaziland (FODSWA).
Economy
The MPs showed willingness and further committed to ensuring the inclusion of
persons with disabilities in all sectors of the economy, including in
Parliament.  The MPs noted that persons with disability are often invisible
during elections. It was then suggested that in order for Parliament to pass
legislation that favours persons with disabilities, they should be part of the
legislative business. Due to their invincibility during elections, the MPs said
it is crucial for the country, out of the 59 Constituencies to have a 60th,
which will advocate for people with disabilities.
Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, stated that each and every constituency is
affected when it comes to issues of disabilities. The MP said government
partners and stakeholders should clearly state how legislators could come on
board on issues of persons with disabilities. Khumalo said MPs pass legislation.
“Speak out on what you expect of us in the area of legislation. Based on what
I have heard here, I will be lobbying my colleagues when we get back to
Parliament, to say the country needs to create the 60th constituency at least
for the House of Assembly that will exclusively be for persons with
disabilities,” he said.
Khumalo said persons with disabilities have tried to participate in elections,
but they have been unsuccessful. He said the road to the creation of the 60th
constituency includes the amendment of the legislation so it can accommodate it.
“I have no doubt in my mind that anyone might say the head of State might be
opposed to that because he is very passionate and has demonstrated that he wants
to see persons with disabilities being included,” he said.
Withdraw
He urged the MPs to support the motion once it is moved, to pass it and leave it
to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to take it further.
Khumalo further highlighted that Parliament passed a law that deals with
gender-based violence (GBV).
“Clearly there are gaps in it because it has been mentioned that survivors
tend to withdraw cases. We need to make sure that everyone can report GBV, even
if it is just a neighbour. It should not be the survivors that report,” he
said.
Madlangampisi MP Allen Vilane also echoed Khumalo.
He noted that when it was confirmed that women representation was close to none
in Parliament, legislation was amended to incorporate and increase the number of
women in the august House, through the election of regional woman MPs. He said
the same principle could also apply to ensure that every region has a
representative of people with disabilities.
Lugongolweni MP Joseph Souza urged that there should be a timeframe for the
formation or amendment of the legislation. He noted that there was a tendency of
not following up on sensitive and crucial issues like those of persons with
disabilities.
“We are the legislators that are going to pass the law, but who will be at the
forefront in terms of the drafting of the law, so that it speaks to the issues
of persons with disabilities directly,” he said. Ntfonjeni MP Raymond Dlamini
also urged for all government ministries to have plans that will spell out their
inclusion of people with disabilities in their workforce and service delivery.
“Even government study loans should also spell out the inclusion of persons
with disabilities,” he said. The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jabulani
Mabuza, said the impetus of the workshop was to align Parliament’s core
mandate, which is legislation, oversight and representation.
“This speaks to robust action in reviewing and enacting legislative framework
for persons with disabilities, inclusive and responsive policies and budgeting
to promote access and security to commodities, enhanced trying of cases for
persons with disabilities, tabling of motions and redressing all socio-economic
ill infringing on the human rights of this populace with a right to dignity,”
he said.