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{
    "id": 463094,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/463094/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 547,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Prof.) Nyikal",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. The most important aspect of this Bill is the duo protection. Most often, it has been assumed that when we have a Bill such as this one, then we are just protecting women. We must realise that the situation is changing in the country and we are getting to a stage where even men are going to need protection as somebody had indicated earlier. The definition of a spouse in this Bill protects both parties. This Bill is important in stabilizing marriages which is the most important institution for national development and setting the national character. Again, the marriage institution protects children. So, in my view, this Bill is not only protecting women, but the family and to a larger extent, the chidren and the nation at large. I am extremely happy with the recognition of the contribution of women. For a long time, is has been assumed that housewives make no contribution. This Bill recognises the domestic work and child care, which to a large extent is extremely important. We must be aware of the fact that in reality, internationally, the issue of unpaid labour for women is coming up. This Bill recognises what has been referred to as unpaid labour for women. The Bill also recognises the property that is acquired before marriage and protects it unless by agreement. Many times, parents have been scared of giving properties to their daughters because there is fear that once they get into marriage, the property becomes sorely the property of the men. Nobody knows what would happen should the marriage fail and then the girl losses the property completely. The definition of “matrimonial home| is very protective as I said and many times, many men have mistreated women. Even if one is buying property or contributing money for the construction or purchase of a house, the contribution of the women is always big that sometimes without them, the purchase of the property would not have been realised. When it comes to separation, women literally go without anything yet this is a place they have been living in and children have been raised there. They can just be chased away. That can no longer take place. Therefore, this Bill comes at an appropriate time together with the Marriage Bill and the Family Protection Bill. This Bill goes a long way in protecting marriages. It is also important that the Bill also looks at the cultural values. Although a Member was concerned that the word “shall” makes it difficult, Clause 11 goes on to say that it must be in line with the Constitution. It is important that it protects the family property from being disposed of without the consent of one of the spouses. We are all aware of situations where families have been living in a house or a farm for a long time and suddenly they realise that the property was sold a long time ago and they can be evicted. I also like the idea that if one spouse gets into liability without the consent or knowledge of the other, the other spouse gets protected. This is because once again people get into loans and mortgages and the spouse is not aware at all and suddenly again they are being evicted."
}