Africa-Press – South-Sudan. East Africa Legislative Assembly, through theCommittee on general purpose has held a two- day national consultative meetingwith stakeholders on the East African Community (EAC) on sexual reproductivehealth Bill 2021 in Juba.
Earlier similar meeting had been undertaken in theEast African member states to create awareness of the EAC Sexual ReproductiveHealth (SRH) Bill among different stakeholders at the national and regionallevels.
Speaking tomedia yesterday, South Sudan Member of Parliament in the East AfricanLegislative Assembly Ayason Mukulia Kennedy said that they have converged inJuba to have a national dialogue on the sexual reproductive health rights Bill2021.
“ This Bill wasprivate members Bill that has a long very history, It was first moved in theyear 2017; it came to our term in Office and therefore, we inherited it and weare moving forward to have public opinions on what people think about theSexual Reproductive rights,” he added.
Headded that at least some members from the national legislative assembly inJuba, faith-based leaders and civic society organizations are participating inthe gathering among other relevant governmental institutions particularly theMinistry of Health as well as General Education and instructions Ministry.
Meanwhile, Rev.
Janet Michael, the Director General of Reproductive Health at the Ministry ofHealth said the Bill was a priority in the health sector considering globaltrend on reproductive health.
“The Ministry ofHealth want to advise the public not to put the culture as an obstacle to the passingof this Bill.
We have to consider the global trend.
We need to have this billdiscussed and passed into law without denial,” she explained in an openingremark.
However, MawienK.
Dhor Ariik, the focal point for Reproductive Health, Food and Security inthe National Assembly said the parliament was in support of the Bill so thatpeople become aware on thereproductive health issues.
At the sametime, Andrea Aguer Ariik, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of the EastAfrican Affairs in South Sudan said,“This will facilitate and promote the prevention of new born child mortalityand maternal rate, it also moves to promote the prohibit and facilitate theelimination of the harmful traditional practices in the community,”
He added thatthe bill exploredpossibilities of creating consensus so that stakeholders were aware of the issuesregarding sexual reproductive health rights in the community, healthreproductive health rights foradults, young people including the olderpeople.
“It furtherlooks at comprehensive sexuality education to everyone and making sure thatcivil population continues to have conversation on the matter.
Once the finalconsultations or stakeholders’ consultation are finalized in January, then thecommittee will go forward to discuss issues raised by the citizens, accordingto East East Legislative Assembly (EALA.
The Bill was expected to be passedbetween June and December 2022,”
Yesterday, the event was conducted by the regionalsteering committee chaired by Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS andHealth Service Organizations(EANNASO), co-chaired byFaith to Action Networkin collaboration with Christian Agency for Peace and Development (CAPaD) in South Sudan among other organizations.
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