On Friday 20th October 2023, Members of both the Committee on Communicable Diseases, HIV/AIDS & SRHR and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) hosted a joint outreach activity which forms part of the National Assembly’s series of activities commemorating its 30th Anniversary. The Committees met with both students and lecturers of the National Institute of Health and Social Studies (NIHSS). Members of both Committees were present with accompanying Support Staff. Also in attendance was the Director for the NIHSS Mr. Ebrahim Ali.
The sensitisation workshop was a much welcomed one for the school as all participants listened intently to presentations on the mandate, role, purpose, composition, and responsibilities of the two Committees. Their respective Terms of Reference, oversight functions of Members and the collaborative work with stakeholders were also discussed in depth.
Two issues that came out very strongly during the deliberations were the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies in general in relation to the availability of contraceptives, specifically NIHSS students who fall pregnant. Students inquired about efficient awareness and education for the former and showed concerns for those who abstain from following the school’s programme in its entirety when becoming pregnant because of fearful beliefs that some elements of the programme may not be suitable for them. Members were asked to shed light on these issues, especially to affirm that pregnancy is not a sickness and that students can continue with their educational programmes.
Inquisitive participants deliberated actively during the interactive session as they queried on issues such as the accessibility of statistics, the date of commencement of the Domestic Violence Act, and if the National Assembly has an equivalent “Men’s Committee”. On the issues of representation, Members were asked to inform the group of the frequency that they get to meet with their constituents and the role they play as the ‘voice’ for their electorates.
