Children must be nurtured and guided by parents

Issues pertaining to the growth, protection and wellbeing of children are of a holistic nature and therefore cut across all levels ranging from individual, household, community to national level. Many members of the public shot up against a purported Ministry of Health proposal to have school children as young as 10 years access birth control services.
By law, any person below 18 years is a child and therefore deserves to be given proper care, guidance and protection against abuse and exploitation.
It is, therefore, prudent to say that children at that tender age are not ready to be engaged in family planning issues due to the risks involved. Contraceptives may cause complications to the health of children in terms of their reproductive health growth.
Exposing the girl child to contraceptives could mislead them into thinking that it is okay to engage in sex since there will be no fear of getting pregnant.

I, therefore, believe that abstaining from sex is better than using birth control measures. I cannot imagine a parent packing family planning pills, condoms or taking a child for injector-plan as birth control measures before they go to school. Introducing contraceptives to children both in and out of school is wrong. Children must be nurtured and guided by their parents so that they can grow into a responsible God-fearing generation rather than engaging them in sexual and reproductive matters prematurely and inappropriately.

The National Children Authority suggests that as the Ministry of Health undertakes the process of reviewing the National Policy Guidelines and Service Standards for Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights, all key stakeholders must be consulted for their views on the matter.
Children must also be consulted since the move directly affects them and the Children (Amendment) Act, No.9 provides the right for children to be consulted on matters that affect them so that they can contribute to this debate.
The National Children Authority will mobilise children at community up to national level to effectively participate in this debate.
Martin Kiiza,
National Children Authority