On the afternoon of Friday 6th March 2026, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles Ms. Lisa Singh, paid a Courtesy Call on the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Azarel Ernesta. Ms. Singh was accompanied by the Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ms. Josiane Yaguibou.
Ms. Singh opened the meeting with warm congratulations to the Hon. Speaker on her historic appointment as the first woman to hold the position of Presiding Officer. She remarked that Seychelles is a notable leader in the region with regards to the presence of women holding authoritative positions, such as the incumbent Cabinet of Ministers. Speaker Ernesta gave the delegation a brief on the proceedings of the National Assembly at present, namely the deliberations of the National Budget, which are dominating the legislative agenda. Upon inquiry from the delegation on the issue of autonomy, the Speaker confirmed that the National Assembly is in the process of finalising the Administration Act, which will secure financial and administrative autonomy, and is poised to be taken by the Assembly following the Budget.
Discussions then turned to International Women’s Day (IWD), which will be celebrated on the 8th of March 2026 under the theme “Give to Gain”. Ms. Singh took the opportunity to highlight a recent workshop held to address the safe use of digital resources, particularly for young women and girls. Hon. Ernesta noted that this resonated closely with the aims of the National Assembly, as demonstrated by the upcoming SADC Parliamentary Forum 59th Plenary Assembly, which will be hosted in Seychelles under the theme of addressing digital violence, particularly against women parliamentarians. She emphasised that it is vital for parliament to take the necessary steps to build the capacity of women parliamentarians, develop the infrastructure to allow women to hold leadership roles, and for such positive exposure to begin at a young age. Hon. Ernesta emphasised that the fight for gender equality is not complete until women can hold positions of power habitually, and in a normalised manner, in all sectors of society.
A mutual agreement was made to re-establish the positive relationship between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Assembly to ensure that fruitful collaborations can enrich Members and staff. Speaker Ernesta thanked the delegation for the opportunity to become acquainted, and the meeting came to a close with a souvenir photograph.
