Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt Hon Ms Nelly B K Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, calls for family-friendly parliaments. Speaking when making a contribution to a panel discussion on the topic “Good Practices and Strategies for Realising Gender-Sensitive Parliaments across the Commonwealth” during the on-going 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados, Speaker Mutti noted that there are a number of practices and strategies that parliaments can employ to the realisation of gender-sensitive parliaments. She stated that the National Assembly of Zambia is in the process of constructing a creche within its precincts as a strategy for realising a gender-sensitive parliament.

She highlighted that once constructed, the crèche will provide childcare services for Parliamentarians and staff with young children and infants in order to foster a family-friendly work environment. She stated that such an initiative will motivate more women, who are the primary caregivers of young children and infants, to aspire for political office, as they will be able to serve the country in the legislative space and at the same time care for their young children. Speaker Mutti noted that both Members of Parliament and staff spend long hours at the workplace stating that this deprives them of quality time with their families, especially young children.

Speaker Mutti reiterated that the crèche will not only be beneficial to Members of Parliament but will also reassure parliamentary staff, who are mainly young mothers and fathers, that the institution they serve recognises their dual roles of work and family responsibilities, and is committed to their overall well-being.

She called upon parliaments across the Commonwealth to build infrastructure where every Member, regardless of gender, background, or caregiving status, are able to participate fully and equally in the democratic process.