Human Rights of Women
Source: All Africa
Women activists are pushing for the re-introduction of the Marriage and Divorce Bill in Parliament. The activists demanded on Friday that the Bill be re-tabled as a matter of urgency so that it is debated and passed immediately after Parliament
completes the budget process.
Ms Nakaweesi noted that some of the controversial clauses in the Bill were harmonised and that the Bill will go a long way in "blending families and marriages". The Eighth Parliament at the closure of business early this year had 22 pending Bills which were not passed into law including the Marriage and Divorce Bill.
The Bill has remained pending for over 45 years and if it is passed into law, it would abolish forced marriages and allow women to divorce their husbands on grounds of cruelty among others. The Uganda Women Parliamentary Association chairperson, Ms Betty Amongi, however, informed the meeting that the Bill would be discussed and passed after the budget debate which starts today.
"The Bill was not passed by the Eighth Parliament but this year we have put Ms Kadaga on notice and she has assured us that it shall be passed into law," Ms Amongi told the audience including Speaker Rebbeca Kadaga.