Africa-Press – Angola. Young people must play a more active role within the scope of the new Samoa Agreement, with a view to contributing to the more inclusive economic development of their countries, said, this Tuesday, in Luanda, deputy Aia-Eza da Silva.
The Samoa Agreement is a new general framework for relations between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, covering six priority areas, namely democracy and human rights, sustainable economic development and growth, climate change, human and social development , peace, security and migration and mobility.
Officially signed on November 15, 2023, in Apia (Samoa), this agreement replaces the Cotonou agreement, which was in force between the EU and the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
When speaking at a forum on “The participation of young people in the renewed partnership: The need to reinforce youth employment and encourage entrepreneurship”, the parliamentarian said that Africa is a predominantly young continent, which is striving for better living conditions, which is why which this fringe needs to have a more active role in the decision-making process.
“These youth are fighting for better living conditions and more inclusive economic development and growth, due to a lack of employment and sustainable income, which is why youth need to have a more active role in the partnership that is now being established”, he highlighted.
In this sense, the president of the 5th Economy and Finance Committee of the National Assembly defended the strengthening of exchanges between young people from member countries, in order to promote the exchange of experience, as well as good governance and transparency practices.
During the meeting, promoted as part of the 64th Parliamentary Assembly of the OEACP, young people from the organization’s various countries presented some concerns that afflict them, including the lack of employment and home ownership, as well as difficulties in their academic and professional training.
At the time, university student Kelvin Barros considered the meeting very positive, as it allowed the youth to present their ideas to OEACP parliamentarians, advocating the need for member states to find local solutions, in accordance with the reality of each country.
OEACP parliamentarians debate gender violence
Meanwhile, OEACP deputies participated, this Tuesday, in a lecture on “Gender violence: The fight to protect women and girls”.
On the occasion, the provincial director of Adra in Benguela, Cecília Kitombe, defended greater investment in inclusive education as a way to combat this phenomenon.
According to the speaker, gender violence must be addressed in a transversal way, whether at community level, marital level, in communities and in education, with a view to finding the best ways to protect women and girls.
“Gender-based violence has been normalized. Studies in Angola show that men can beat a woman if she doesn’t keep her word, if he’s jealous or if she doesn’t cook. We are talking about behaviors and attitudes that are no longer justified, so we have to combat this evil to protect our women”, she highlighted.
In turn, Mozambican deputy Alsácia Sardinha recalled that domestic violence socially affects the family, in particular, and the country, putting women’s rights at risk.
He made it known that his country is quite advanced in terms of gender parity, with the active participation of women in politics and other areas.
“In Mozambique we have women actively participating in politics and taking on management positions in various sectors. At Government level, this parity of 50% of men and women has already been achieved and should be extended to provincial and district levels, down to the most basic structures”, she added.
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