Deputies revitalise parliamentary network on population and development

Deputies at the National Assembly on Monday considered and ratified the motion on the revitalisation of the parliamentary network on population and development.

The motion was tabled before the deputies by the Member for Foni Bondali, Hon. Borry Colley, on behalf of the member for Foni Berefet, Hon. Bintanding Jarjue.

In moving the motion, Hon. Borry Colley said population and development are critical issues owing to various challenges such as poverty, reproductive health, women empowerment, family planning, climate change, food security and immigration.

“The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) formulated a programme of action for Governments to address among others these pressing challenges,” he said.

According to him, in May 1997 parliamentarians of the African and Arab States met in Cape Town, South Africa, to discuss the ICPD framework for implementation, which resulted into the formation of the Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAAPPD).

“This body includes 61 parliaments in Africa and Arab States including The Gambia, thus The Gambia National Assembly Parliamentary Network was established in 2007 and has participated in various fora and other activities on population and development,” says Hon. Colley.

In November 2010, FAAPPD organised a training workshop for parliamentary staff of the networks of the English-speaking African countries in Arusha Tanzania, he said, adding that the National Assembly of The Gambia was well represented at that workshop by Mr Landing Jobe.   

The outcome of that workshop, he explained, recommended that the parliament considers and adopts a motion revitalizing the network to be more proactive.

“The parliament, as a member of FAAPPD, settles all its dues to the forum in order to benefit from its programmes and activities, mobilise resources for smooth operation of the network, elect an executive for the network, collaborate with the National Population Commission Secretariat on population and development-related issues, and network with sister countries of the sub-region to exchange ideas and experiences on best practices.”

She said the principal task of the network is to promote advocacy in increasing the awareness and understanding of the people on population and development issues as well as to advise government on best practices.