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{
    "id": 1440332,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1440332/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 157,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Teso South, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mary Emaase",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to second the Bill. This is a very straightforward and timely Bill. It comes at a time we are dealing with so many issues around children, gender-based violence and pregnancies that arise from incest. The statistics are very clear that 15 per cent of teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant. Out of that, 12 per cent give birth while 3 per cent lose their children in the process. Further, 1 per cent are pregnant for the first time. As we have been told, this Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the Government to deal with teenage pregnancies. It provides a framework of how this matter should be dealt with by county and national governments, because an expectant child has rights. As legislators, we have not given this area the attention it deserves. This Bill seeks to ensure that if a child is expectant, there is a proper plan on how she should be handled. The school administration should address the matter such that the child is guaranteed the right to education and the child’s baby is taken care of by the Government. I thank Hon. Beatrice and the Senate for coming up with this Bill. Teenage pregnancy is a problem. Once those children are guaranteed their education even after conceiving, we are sure that we will continue to bring down teenage pregnancy numbers. Every day in our constituencies, we encounter quite a number of schools that report as many as 20 or more pregnancy cases. We need this legislation so that those children are taken care of, and given proper guidance and psychosocial counselling in order to guide them so that they are not harassed or ridiculed in schools. This will enable them to continue with their studies and have their right to education. As a nation, we will address so many other multiplier effects of those dropouts. We will also deal with poverty. Hon. Deputy Speaker, with those few remarks, I second the Bill. Thank you."
}