Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia the Right Hon Ms Nelly B K Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, has disclosed that the National Assembly of Zambia will soon open a crèche for Parliamentarians and staff with young children and infants in order to foster a family-friendly work atmosphere.

Hon Mutti noted that both Parliamentarians and staff spend long hours at work and this deprives them of quality time with their families; especially young children.This came to light during the side meeting with the Partnership for Safe Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) which works in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland.  The meeting was held alongside the meetings of the 148th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and Related meetings in the same country.

During the meeting, Dr Flavio Bustreo, PMNCH Board Member and former Assistant Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO), stated that Zambia is one of the partner countries of PMNCH. She highlighted that the focus area of her organisation was support towards women, children and adolescents’ health. Dr Bustreo pledged technical support towards women and children through the Global Fund.

Meanwhile, as part of her responsibilities as Member of the IPU Executive Committee, Speaker Mutti has presented the Report of the IPU to the SADC Group. The Report contains decisions and key outcomes of the Executive Committee.  The 148th IPU Assembly has 55 world Speakers in attendance and over 800 Parliamentarians.   Speaker Mutti serves on the Executive Committee of the IPU, the highest decision making body of the organisation.