Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) are not just about sexual rights, but also about implementing basic human rights and scrutinizing good governance.
This was the view of the Secretary-General of SADC's Parliamentary Forum Boemo Sekgoma at a multi-stakeholder consultative workshop on the performance of sexual and reproductive health rights projects in the region, between the years 2019 and 2023.
The engagement was held at Swakopmund.
The project, funded by the Swedish government has been implemented by 11 countries, including Namibia, following an MoU signed between the SADC-PF and the National Assembly.
The project is aimed at achieving universal access to integrated SRHR, HIV/AIDS, and related rights.
It further seeks to encourage MPs to strengthen their capacity and advocacy for SRHR, and HIV/AIDS issues through legislative, budgetary, oversight, and visible representation.
"There is thus an inherent value in advancing the Project since the consolidation of the democratic drive benefits other parliamentary priorities as well, whether it is about combating corruption, protecting the environment, or building new public infrastructure, to cite but a few."
Sekgoma also spoke about the importance of citizens holding Parliament accountable, which in turn holds the government accountable.
"It promotes the identity of parliament as an independent institution that can develop its own body of parliamentary policy, separately from the Executive, and in this regard exercise consistent oversight over programs implemented by the Government."
She expressed her satisfaction at learning that this has been accomplished through meetings of the national working groups and public hearings.
"Applying for a new Project with its donor, Sweden will also assist the national Parliament to identify any areas where there is room for change or improvement. It will be essential for stakeholders who have interacted with the Project to reflect and make constructive recommendations on the way forward and on how best to create an impactful value."
The project is further extended for another 6 months to review and document the tone of the past years.