The Malawi Parliament has organised a Parliament Week to enhance public awareness of its functions and operations.
The statement signed by Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara states that the Parliament Week will run from November 18 to 22 2024 will be held under the theme ‘Know Your Parliament’.
Reads the statement: “The week will be dedicated to showcasing Parliament’s functions and operations through pavilions, street parade, and sitting of the National Assembly outside the Parliament chamber,”
The Speaker is expected to launch the Parliament Week on November 18 2024 at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe.
“On Thursday, 21 November, 2024 Parliament will, for the first time, hold its sitting outside the chamber at Dedza Stadium in Dedza District from 9.30 am to 12.30pm.
The activities marking the Parliament Week will conclude on Friday, 22nd November, 2024, with a donation of assorted items to Malingunde School for the Blind,” the statement reads further.
Parliament has since appealed to the public to patronise the activities marking the week.
Commenting on the initiative, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation executive director Michael Kaiyatsa commended Parliament for organising the week, saying it is in line with the idea of taking Parliament to the people.
He said Parliament makes laws, provides checks and balances for other arms of government, promotes human rights, development and various issues that affect people; hence, people need to know about the roles of Parliament, how they can access Parliament or be helped by Parliament when they have issues.
“This should not just be an event, it should be ongoing. People should be accessing Parliament all the time,” said Kaiyatsa
The Parliament Week will be conducted with support from the United Nations Development Programme, Save the Children Malawi, Centre for Civil Society Strengthening, Parliamentary Support Programme, and the African Institute for Development Policy.
