{"id":1268742,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1268742/?format=json","text_counter":69,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"THAT, aware that, Article 53 of the Constitution provides for the rights of children, including the right to free and compulsory basic education; further aware that section 22 of the Persons Deprived of Liberty Act and the Childcare Policy provides for the care of a child whose parent is deprived of liberty until the child attains the age of four years; recognizing that children above the age of four years still require parental support; further recognizing that majority of these children often suffer from emotional distress, social stigma and economic hardships; cognizant of the fact that all children should be accorded a means of maintaining their relationship with their incarcerated parents; noting that children have restricted economic resources available for their support which in turn negatively impacts their lives; this House therefore urges the Government, through the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, to develop and implement a programme for the care of children above the age of four years whose parents are under lawful custody."}