SADC PF:SRHR & HIV/AIDS & Governance 2023- 2026

During year 1 SADC-PF have delivered some important results realted to SADC member parliaments promoting SRHR through legal reform. - Under budget line related to domestication efforts under the project, the Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) accentuated in 2024 on the role of Parliaments in the domestication of Protocols, Treaties and SADC Model laws, while noting the progress made by countries, on rights, gender, GBV among others, and pushed for the need for scorecards and other domestication tools to enhance oversight by MPs. This led to resolutions for developing tools for monitoring, and subsequently a partnership with organisations such as Plan International, Girls Not Brides and UNFPA to develop an M&E framework to monitor the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage, which will be adapted and duplicated for use with other Model Laws. - The SADC PF was invited by the African Union to stand as a legal and gender expert in the High-level Committee for the drafting of the African Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Forum has appeared on the High-Level Committee 5 times through its Legal and Policy Advisor and the inputs made have ensured that the draft African Convention aligns with the SADC Model Law on Gender-Based Violence. - Standing committees of the Parliamentary Forum integrating SRHR into their work plans as articulated in motions, debates and questions during parliamentary engagements. - In Zambia an amendment to the Matrimonial Causes Act, was passed to align the definition of child with the meaning assigned to the word in the constitution and to forbid marriage where either party to the marriage was a child at the time the marriage was celebrated, thus in alignment with the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage. - In Lesotho, a motion for inclusivity of the clause that ensure that transgender and intersex children are allowed gender affirmation, medical procedures and healthcare and legalising their new gender identity in the amendment of Child Protection and Welfare Act of 2011. -In Zimbabwe a new marriage act has been passed. Minimum age has been set by law for consent to marry. The law has been amended to establish 18 as the minimum age for seeking marriage consent. This important change aims to protect the rights of young persons and ensure that they are mature enough to make informed decisions about marriage, contributing to the broader efforts to eliminate child marriage and promote gender equality. - The SADC PF was invited by the African Union to stand as a legal and gender expert in the High-level Committee for the drafting of the African Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Forum has appeared on the High-Level Committee 5 times through its Legal and Policy Advisor and the inputs made have ensured that the draft African Convention aligns with the SADC Model Law on Gender-Based Violence. - Standing committees of the Parliamentary Forum integrating SRHR into their work plans as articulated in motions, debates and questions during parliamentary engagements. In addition to above SADC-PF have delivered some important results realted to SADC member parliaments promoting SRHR through budgetary interventions. - In DRC, Honorable Mondole presented the motion to increase the Health budget and the budget was increased from 9.11 to 11% by March 2024. - In Malawi the health budget allocation increased from 8.7% to 12.2% in financial year 2023 -2024 and 2024-2025 respectively and the Family planning budget allocation increased by 23% and finally National youth council budget increased by 620% in 2024/2025 budget. Parliaments have also promoted SRHR by escalating SRHR concerns of constituencies -In Malawi, a program titled taking Parliament to the community was established in collaboration with Save the Children in promoting community Participation in parliamentary processes. - over 20 SRHR related oversight questions to the executives were asked -there were more than 5 oversight engagements by MPs to their respective constituencies on various SRHR thematic issues In Lesotho -More than 10 health facilities including the national hospital and different communities were visited during this reporting period to check for issues of stockouts quality of service delivery amongst others. -MPs through Parliamentary Committees conducted oversight fieldwork where they were interacting with communities to improve on gender-responsive budgeting. In Madagascar, MPs demand accountability from relevant Ministries on progress in achieving SDG 3 and 5 -A public hearing for the amendment of the HIV bill was carried out. -MPs were involved on the fight against GBV by attending the 16 days of activism as well visiting the Center which takes care of GBSVS victims. Another outcome relates to increase efficiency and utilisation of empirical SRHR research In Malawi, the Researcher managed to prepare more than 15 e-briefs, technical and background papers that were utilised by MPs on several platforms e.g SRHR Researcher submitted a brief paper on SRHR financing in Malawi that was used by Honorable Phale, Chairperson of the Technical Working Group during a roundtable discussion on SRHR Financing. In Eswatini, more than 20 research work has been produced in this implementation period in form of background papers, fact sheets, briefs and concept notes for use by MPs in various SRHR platforms. For example, on the 27th of August to the 2nd of September a fact sheet was prepared for Parliamentarians in preparation of awareness of raising girl-child GBV and sexual assault cases. The research information was used during an advocacy session for legislative changes and improvements in healthcare policies to ensure better access and quality of care held.

The vision of the project is: Universal access to integrated SRHR and HIV/AIDS services and related rights, including bringing forward social change, gender-responsive climate action, improved health and respect for human rights that are enjoyed by all in the SADC region within a framework that is conducive to democratic accountability. Due to the structure and role of SADC PF, the objectives that will contribute to this vision reflect the parliamentary roles of MPs in promoting SRHR within national parliaments and as part of the SADC PF. The seven outcomes are: 1. SADC PF and its relevant Parliamentary committees manage and monitor the Project effectively, 2. Parliaments enact targeted SRHR and HIV/AIDS related legislation by standalone SRHR Bills, amendments to existing laws, secondary legislation e.g. legislation promoting gender equality and climate response, safe abortion, CSE, commodity security, and eliminating child marriage and SGBV, 3. Parliaments consistently vote for enhanced SRHR budgets which promote the delivery of universal SRHR, HIV/AIDS services, implement SDGs 3 and 5, and promote gender-responsive budgeting and Universal Health Coverage, 4. Parliaments exercise increased leadership, oversight and representation leading to transparency and accountability of the Government and state institutions on the implementation of SRHR measures, mainstreaming of gender, elaboration of safe abortion programs, CSE commitments, abolition of child marriage and protection of Key populations, 5. Inter-parliamentary networks are coordinated by the SADC-PF, resulting in domestication of SRHR norms in Model Laws and treaties and strengthened tracking of commitments by Governments, including those at SADC level and Africa Agenda 2063, 6. Increased efficiency and utilization of empirical SRHR research by the institution of Parliament leading to capacitation and enhanced interventions by MPs, and 7. Parliamentarians promote good governance and anti-corruption frameworks, and advance human rights to consolidate democratic accountability which is a basis for the advancement of the interconnected right to health inclusive of SRHR whilst aligning on regional and international treaties, Africa Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.