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{
    "id": 618181,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/618181/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 369,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am in order. In fact, Sen. Madzayo is putting words in my mouth. I consider that as his opinion and I am entitled to mine too. That is the problem with men in this country. When it comes to maternal issues they become protective and defensive. We should be brave enough to speak about this reality. We should not criticize, but change it for the future. It is true that some fathers and mothers have not played their roles effectively when it comes to issues of drug abuse. Therefore, we need to focus and ensure that these roles are played properly by all the people in charge of that child. Studies have shown that the relationship between a mother and child starts about three months of pregnancy. Whether the child will be maladjusted or properly adjusted depends on this relationship. Therefore, we are talking about a nation’s wellbeing. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill goes beyond the technical aspects to the emotional and psychological aspects that are very critical. These children’s rights are protected under Article 53 of the Constitution, which includes, among others, the right to parental care and protection. These rights need to be availed to all children, including the adopted children. The rights of the child need to be protected within an environment that allows that protection to take place. In Clause 29(a) for a child who is above three years of age, but below the age of 12, the parent shall be entitled to two months adoptive leave with full pay. It is important that the aspect of pay has been put in. I know many organisations that dismiss employees because of such, yet we need a prosperous and reproductive nation, so that it becomes a productive. According to the adoption rules if you are a single woman, you can only adopt a girl and not a boy. If you are single man, you can only adopt a boy. In developed countries, partners are allowed to adopt but this has caused a lot of problems. This Bill is important since it introduces the aspect of payment and also entrenches the level of responsibility that parents should have for their children. With this we shall end up building a better and healthier nation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, moving forward, we should consider in detail issues of paternal leave and adoption by partners, so that they are not abused. On the issue of whether parents will stay at home during the period of the leave, that is a personal issue. Everybody can determine how to go about it. But, as legislators, we encourage people to use this time substantially. Thank you and I support."
}