Parliamentary Committee On Nutrition, Hiv And Aids

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Malawi established the Parliamentary Committee on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS to analyse Nutrition, HIV and AIDS issues and present recommendations to Parliament for decision making.  The Committee runs for a period of 5 years and is re-established in the successive parliament after each election. It comprises membership from ruling party, opposition party and independents.   Members of Parliament to serve on the Committee are elected in line with Parliamentary procedures of the Malawi National Assembly.  The National Assembly provides secretariat services to the committee through provision of a Secretary who also serves as a focal point and liaison officer for the committee.

Composition

The Parliamentary Committee on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS comprises 20 elected members of Parliament as elected by Members of the National Assembly.  Cabinet Ministers are not members of the Parliamentary Committee on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS.  The committee is supported by three (3) parliamentary clerks.

Scope of work

The role of the Parliamentary Committee on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS is to provide a forum for Members of Parliament to effectively carry out their respective functions of oversight, advocacy, and representation in Nutrition, HIV and AIDS.  It also plays legislative as well as resource mobilization roles of the Committee on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS. Specifically, the Committee is responsible for:

  • Representing the National Assembly in high level meetings and advocacy activities for Nutrition, HIV and AIDS.
  • Providing high level political visibility of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS issues.
  • Examining analysing, scrutinizing and making recommendations on relevant bills and relevant matters relating to Nutrition, HIV and AIDS.
  • Advocating and lobbying for Nutrition, HIV and AIDS issues and funding for Nutrition, HIV and AIDS in Parliament including initiating relevant bills and motions required for addressing malnutrition and HIV and AIDS.
  • Ensuring that Nutrition, HIV/AIDS are adequately addressed in legislation and policies debated or presented in the National Assembly
  • Receiving reports from the Executive arm of Government, judiciary, Civil Society Organizations and local Government to enforce accountability in the implementation of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS policies in Malawi.
  • Monitoring the country’s performance on commitments on international instruments on HIV and AIDS;
  • Monitoring coordination and implementation of legislative and policy programmes of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS by the public sector, local government, private sector and civil society.
  • Conducting public hearings and inquiring on topical issues on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS
  • Establishing and maintaining partnerships with civil society and lobby groups on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS
  • Advocating for mainstreaming of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS in the National Assembly.
  • Resource Mobilization for the Committee’s activities.
  • Submitting reports to the National Assembly on delivery of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS services in Malawi

Operational modalities

The committee meets quarterly for one (1) week as determined by parliamentary standing orders.  Ad hoc meetings shall be held and when need arises.  Information is shared through lobbying other committees for support, reports and parliamentary proceedings.

Leadership

The Parliamentary Committee on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS is led by a Chairperson with support from the Vice Chairperson.  Both are elected by the committee in line with parliamentary standing orders to collate issues proposed for the agenda, follow up on action plans and present committee reports to the National Assembly through the Speaker’s Office.

Accountability and reporting

The Committee reports to the National Assembly through the Office of the Speaker.

Linkages with other coordinating committees

The Parliamentary Committee on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS has linkages with the following committees:

  • Other Parliamentary Committees
  • Malawi Partnership Forum on HIV and AIDS
  • National Nutrition Committee
  • SADC Parliamentary Forum on Nutrition, HIV and AIDS
  • Pan African Parliamentary Committee on HIV and AIDS