East African Legislative Assembly fails to debate EAC Sexual and Reproductive Health Bill

On 22 – 23 May 2017, KELIN took part in a meeting of the regional civil society taskforce on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) policies and legislation in the East African Community (EAC). This was a preparatory meeting convened by Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organizations (EANNASO) ahead of the tabling of the EAC Sexual and Reproductive Health Bill at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). In its meeting, the regional civil society taskforce reviewed its work plan and agreed to fast track:

(i)         audit of national SRH laws and policies of partners states to EAC;

(ii)        review the EAC HIV Prevention and Management Act 2012 and EAC Gender Equality, Equity and Development Bill 2016 vis-à-vis the Draft EAC SRH Bill; and

(iii)       develop an advocacy tool-kit on the SRH Bill with a view of advocating that the Bill meets international standards on human rights and gender.

EALA’s agenda for its 6^th Session in Arusha indicated that the General Purpose Committee was expected to table its report on the Bill (22^nd May 2017) paving way for its 2^nd and 3^rd reading (23^rd May 2017). However, the General Purpose Committee reported to the Assembly that it was yet to finalize its report on the Bill. The Chair of the Committee, Hon. Odette Nyiramilimo (Rwanda), noted that the Bill had generated a lot of interest from stakeholders of the partner states. And that the Committee had received numerous comments, views, petitions and memoranda on the contents of the Bill based on the public participation forums that had been conducted in all five states. She thus asked for more time to finalize the report.

It is noteworthy that KELIN recently convened a sensitization forum for civil society on law making process whereby stakeholders discussed the EAC SRH Bill. Moving forward, KELIN will continue its participation in regional legislative process and advocate for incorporation of a rights-based approach to the legislation.

To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms: Twitter: @KELINKenya #BreakingSRHRBarriers or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya

For more information contact:

For more information contact:
Timothy Wafula – Programme Associate

HIV & TB, KELIN

Mombasa Road, Somak building 4^th Floor

P O Box 112 – 00200 KNH Nairobi,

E-mail: twafula@kelinkenya.org

Website: www.kelinkenya.org