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{
    "id": 977569,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/977569/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 327,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13184,
        "legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
        "slug": "abshiro-soka-halake"
    },
    "content": "constituency engagement and public participation. There was also the use of ICT in strengthening public involvement in the legislative process, and empowerment of women using strategies to enable them participate in decision making using ICT. There was also the role of technology in developing democratic practices, as well as our participation in the East African Caucus; and the participation of our clerks in the Society of Clerks-at- the-Table (SOCATT). One of the things that came out very strongly at the Conference was the fact that there are very big opportunities for parliamentarians to use ICT to enhance public participation and their own profile. This is especially so for women MPs, who were found not to be using much ICT because of the fear of its negative aspects, especially social media, where sometimes women are profiled differently and negatively. There is also fear of fake news that is making women shy away from the use of this opportunity to profile themselves, engage with their constituents and pass on what they are doing in Parliament as well as in their constituencies. Initially, I was not in the delegation, but when I learnt that the theme of the Conference was ICT, I made a special request to attend as the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on ICT. It was a real eye-opener for me in the sense that some of the best practices, especially in the Commonwealth countries that were not in Africa, was the amazing results that women and youth have been able to achieve to access the democratic space and political leadership, and use it to make themselves be seen, heard and engage in very different ways. Madam Temporary Speaker, of course the CPA also had certain issues that were proposed. Just to mention a few, I would like to bring to the attention of this House some of the resolutions that would work for us well, as parliamentarians, as far as the use of ICT in strengthening the legislative process is concerned. One of the things we have not done very well perhaps – and I must say that we do that at Committee level, especially when we are dealing and processing Bills--- When it comes to individual use of ICT, it was found that especially the women have not used it as it should to show the citizens what we are doing. One of the issues is the establishment of an e-Parliament. Our Parliament is, of course, using ICT quite a bit. Our debates are streamed live, but we have not been able to pick out some of the key issues for amplifying, especially when it comes to certain issues that need advocacy at the highest levels, voting and the rest of it. Madam Temporary Speaker, again, we looked at acknowledging the role of ICT in developing democratic practices. Of course, it has been found to be a double-edged sword."
}