The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The International Day of Parliaments was recognised on June 30.

It is adequately clear that Parliaments have an important role to play in delivering governance which is effective both in terms of reducing poverty and in terms of building democracy.

Strong parliaments are a cornerstone of democracy. They represent the voice of the people, pass laws, allocate funds to implement laws and policies, and hold governments to account.

They work to make sure that policies benefit all people, especially the most vulnerable. They also debate the big issues of the day.

Parliaments also link international and national agendas, ensuring that governments implement international treaties and agreements that they sign up to.

In developing countries, parliaments fail to discharge their duties effectively because of a number of insurmountable obstacles such as lack of adequate funding.

Women in developing countries should also be encouraged to become members of parliament and stimulate health and constructive debates in the parliaments.

Only 25% of the world’s members of parliament are women.

The stumbling blocks that stand in the way for women to stand as members of parliament should be eradicated so that more women will be attracted to stand as members of the parliaments.

HANDSEN CHIKOWORE

London,

June 28, 2020.