Flyer: Women, youth and the disabled: What should the constitution say about their rights?
This flyer is available for download in two languages. See end of post for details.
The Constitution Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) Outreach Teams (ORTs) are coming to your ward to get your views of what the constitution should be. You are completely free to express your views in public. Don’t let anyone intimidate you. If they do report immediately to the police, COPAC, church or a human rights organisation. Think about how you feel about these topics, so that you can express you view to the COPAC team.
Three of the important themes in relation to the constitution involve women, youth and the disabled, as groups whose rights are often ignored. What do you think should be said to protect these groups?
WOMEN
Should men and women be treated equally in the constitution?
Should men and women have equal rights in family life?
Should they have equal access to land, including communal land?
Should the constitution have a quota for how many women should be in parliament and in other decision making bodies?
YOUTH
What should the voting age be?
Do we want a national body for the youth?
Do we need a National Youth Service?
How can youth participation in governance be improved, and what civic and economic rights should be guaranteed in the constitution?
DISABLED
Should the government be able to override religious beliefs to ensure that children get vaccinated?
How can the constitution ensure that disabled persons have a right to education?
How can the constitution ensure that the disabled are included in all
socio-economic and cultural activities of the community?
Should the constitution require that all buildings, public transport and amenities are designed to allow access to the disabled?
How can the constitution ensure that disabled persons are represented in decision-making bodies?