Women lawmakers should play active role for achieving the SDGs

Women parliamentarians should proactively pursue with their governments issues related to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a South African leader Galina Karelova said at a BRICS meet here.

"It is our responsibility to interrogate intentions, efforts and progress made by our governments in achieving the 17 SDGs and their 169 target areas," Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, South Africa, Karelova, said today.

The two-day meeting of the BRICS Women's Parliamentarian Forum started here today in which 42 delegates from member countries are participating.

She said that the participation of women in public life has increased in South Africa and in Africa in general.
 

"Despite this, women are still not adequately represented in politics, economy and other important centres of power- security, financial, energy and market.

Until an acceptable representation is achieved at the strategic decision making structures, the contributions towards the decision taken will not reflect the interest of the people.

"If we really wanted to, we could argue about the legitimacy of decisions that are taken without consulting the majority of people," she said.

Karelova, the head of the South African delegation at the Forum, said that eradicating poverty in all its forms is only possible with a much more complex transformation of the entire global economy, the environment and social structures.

She insisted a closer cooperation between the executive and legislature in achieving the targets set by the world leaders.

She also suggested that the member countries should undertaken programme to educate the ordinary citizen of BRICS nations on what SDGs are and what they intend to achieve.

Karelova said that parliament has a crucial role to play in contributing to uplifting the status of women.

Narrating the initiatives taken by the South African Parliament, she said it has taken steps in support of SDGs through daily parliamentarian work.

"Both select committee, the portfolio committee and the women multi-party caucus in both Houses dealing with women matters are directed to fast track issues that have a bearing in making sure that the SDGs work," she said.