The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Women Caucus has resolved that African countries should introduce anti-corruption curricula in schools if the continent is to effectively inculcate strong values in citizens to shun graft tendencies.

This was among the seven resolutions adopted by the continental legislative organ, named the Kigali Declaration, at the closure of a two-day session.

The 11th PAP Conference on Women’s Rights, held at the Parliamentary Building in Kimihurura, was opened by the First Lady Jeannette Kagame, on Wednesday.

"Aware that the perception of Africa as a corrupt continent must change, (we) have hereby agreed to introduce anti-corruption values in school curricula,” the resolutions read in part.

During the opening ceremony, Mrs Kagame challenged the continental legislators to demonstrate urgency and move to help uproot the vice through building sound policies and systems that are grounded in a culture of integrity.

In response to the First Lady’s challenge, the legislators also called upon governments to implement, without delay, appropriate means to fight corruption.

They also noted that governments have to "repeal all national laws which promote illicit financial flows, especially in the mining and other sectors dealing with exports and imports, to check capital flight.”

Jamila Ksiksi Debbech, the Chairperson of the PAP Women Caucus, urged the continental parliamentarians to stand against corruption because it jeopardises the continent’s transformation.

Debbech also called upon all parliaments in Africa to adopt appropriate legislative measures to fight corruption.

Citing the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, the PAP women meeting also called for gender mainstreaming in positions of leadership, with a view that more women in leadership translates into limited corruption.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw