The first step was the gathering of views of grassroots members. Key issues included membership fees, terms of office, the right to vote and a quota system for women in all structures.
These results were given to legal experts to come up with the first draft, which was emailed to members, partners and other relevant stakeholders and posted on the Youth Forum website, Facebook page and other online platforms.
This resulted in resounding feedback, which was taken back to the drafters. A second draft was then taken to a meeting with various members from the country’s 10 provinces for further interrogation and a final draft was done.
At the Congress, this came under final and serious scrutiny, in the presence of the drafters, and all amendments were ratified by the Congress.
Again, quota system on a gender basis for the Youth Forum’s different organs became a hot topic, with a few men and women claiming it was not necessary as it would undermine the potential that women have by reserving positions for their occupancy.
However, the majority felt it was necessary and the draft constitution was amended to ensure that at any election of the organs of the Forum, there would either be five males and four females or five females and four males, with the first national Executive Council having females and four males.
Post published in: News