By Sallieu S. Kanu
The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Bill will now be tabled in Parliament for proper scrutiny and approval by the Legislative Arm of Government after consultations on the bill.
The Minister of Health II, Madam Jalikatu Mustapha who is championing the bill, and the Minister of Information and Civic Education Mr. Chernor Bah have over the last 60 days consulted with a wide range of stakeholders and relevant parties to the Bill for a safe landing in the well of Parliament.
The consultations were not limited to only members of Parliament but people or organisations dealing with women and girls.
At a meeting at an exclusive resort on Saturday, November 30, the Deputy Minister of Health II Madam Jalikatu Mustapha shared a copy of the bill to all Members of Parliament present for effective deliberation.
She said the gathering was to bring the Members of Parliament up to speed on the draft Safe Motherhood Bill, which they intended to take to Parliament for ratification before the end of the year.
She dilated on the spirit and intent of the SMB and how it has been considered thoroughly before engagement with the MPs.
The Bill, she highlighted seeks to remove all barriers to illegal and unsafe motherhood for our women and girls, whilst safeguarding the rights of all women to the right to their body.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislature, Honourable Sullay Abdul Marray Conteh explained that as a legislative arm of government, their work goes in tandem with the demands of their constituents. He said the Chairperson of the Committee on Health in Parliament, Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara alias AKK was present to shed light on the merits and demerits of the proposed bill.
Opposition Whip AKK in his presentation, assured all members that the bill in its entirety had been scrutinized and that it met the demands of the 21st century.
Honourable AKK said the purpose of the bill goes beyond just safe motherhood, adding that it seeks to save lives and allow women to have access to their bodies. He said the different clauses of the bill had been looked into, and that minus a few concerns they were gathered to address, it was fine.
The former Deputy Minister of Justice, and now Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq. on his part, said the bill had gone through them, and that the contentious clauses were not inimical to the overall intent of the bill. He said that clause 7 does not necessarily negate clause 9 and that they go in tandem.
The Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Legislature, Honourable Sullay Marray Conteh gave every MP and Minister of Government present, an opportunity to speak on the issue. Hon. Fatmata Bockarie spoke on a personal experience with her child and how she went through some difficulties in having the baby even as a married woman. She cautioned that the bill should be properly looked at before it goes for discussion, adding that serious engagement with the people is necessary.
Hon. Catherine Kargbo from Bombali averred that she was a direct victim of early unwanted pregnancy, highlighting the fact that the SMB was a safeguard for such unwanted issues of pregnancy and childbirth.
Hon. Bash from Bo was supportive but cautioned that more engagement with the public be done.
Two Hon. from Kono and Tonkolili, respectively, spoke extensively about the extension of facilities for safe motherhood to rural areas.
Responding, the Deputy Ministers of Health II and the Minister of Information and Civic Education, expounded on their personal experiences with some of the challenges faced by young mothers, stigmatized children and how the SMB will eliminate all those bottlenecks.
The Minister of Information and Civic Education Mr. Chernor Bah painstakingly explained how the bill has changed drastically from 2015 to date, and that now all safeguards for all women and girls have been taken into consideration.
Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender, said she is faced every day with reports, complaints or concerns about unwanted pregnancies, abandoned children and many more, adding that the SMB will address all of those concerns.
The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Bill is set to be examined by Parliament.