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{
    "id": 1511713,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1511713/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 84,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Irene Mayaka",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, on behalf of Hon. Fatuma Zainab, I wish to request a Statement regarding the protection of underage children from exposure to illicit activities. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security regarding the protection of underage children from exposure to illicit activities. Children, our nation's heritage, should be protected from exposure to activities that may ruin their future. Indeed, Article 53 of the Constitution places a civic duty on all of us to, among others, protect children from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment and hazardous exploitative labour. Unfortunately, there have been incidents of unscrupulous entertainment facilities, such as bars and casinos, admitting children and exposing them to adult activities. Further, some children are either lured into non-hotel accommodation facilities, particularly those operated via online platforms, such as Airbnb, or they reserve rooms in person, disguised as adults and then indulge in illicit activities such as orgies, alcoholism and drug abuse. Considering that children are on a long school holiday until January 2025, they face higher vulnerability and susceptibility to indulgence in illicit activities, which have far- reaching effects. Of concern is the likely rise in school drop-out rates in January 2025, resulting from pregnancies, drug addiction, general deviancy, and premature deaths from violent partying or femicide . This necessitates stricter enforcement of regulatory measures restricting admission of children to entertainment joints and accommodation facilities and surveillance on compliance. It is against this background that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security on the following: 1. The measures that the security agencies have put in place to ensure strict enforcement of laws and regulations on admission to entertainment and accommodation facilities, including the action plan for impromptu spot-checks to ensure compliance by owners; 2. The measures put in place by privately-owned online accommodation facilities operated through platforms like Airbnb to verify the ages of guests and bar underage guests; and, 3. The regulatory framework for owners of online accommodation facilities to enforce decency and forestall illicit activities such as orgies, alcoholism and drug abuse in their facilities. On behalf of Hon. Fatuma, I thank you, Honourable Speaker."
}