Today, the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare in the National Assembly undertook the second day of stakeholder engagements on Proposed Bills, in focus being The Care and Protection of Child Parents Bill (Senate Bill No 11 of 2019).
The Committee, chaired by Mwea Member of Parliament Hon Josephat Kabinga, heard views from the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, Teachers Service Commission, National Gender & Equality Commission, Kenya Union of Teachers, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, and the Child Welfare Society of Kenya.
The Bill seeks to provide a framework for the care and protection of child parents within the Counties, to provide a framework through which an expectant girl child or child parent may actualize their right to basic education and at the same time ensure the care of their children.
The Ministry of Labour and the Child Welfare Society of Kenya are opposed to the Bill, citing duplication of roles that have already been outlined in other existing Laws like the Basic Education Act, hence a possible cause for confusion.
They also argue that child pregnancy is wrong and should be prevented, and people should not make laws that will encourage children to get pregnant under the assumption that the law will protect their rights.
The other stakeholders, despite expressing their support for the bill, highlighted various clauses in the proposed law that they believe need alterations and adjustments, suggesting the deletion of certain parts that they believe is not in the best interest of the child.
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In their reservations, the Stakeholders, led by the Teachers Service Commission, pointed to a possible establishment of liberties that may end up encouraging teenage pregnancies, and suggested that before such laws are passed, the proponents of the Bill should ensure that the children’s rights do not end up hurting them more.
The Committee is expected to deliberate further on the matter, before tabling its report on the Bill before the National Assembly.
