The outgoing parliament recently passed the Children’s amendment bill, which aims in strengthening child protection by aligning the Children’s Act with constitutional and international conventions.

The Bill which is yet to be passed by the Senate describes everyone under the age of 18 as a child.

It also alters the designation of “child in need of care” to include children’s risk of being unlawfully married or pledged in marriage, pregnant children, and in accompanied children.

Furthermore, the Bill characterized one as a parent, biological parent, whether they are married or not.

Also, the Bill established the child protection and welfare council which will function for vulnerable children.

The new bill introduces new criminal offenses, such as causing the child to participate in child sexual material and denying medical treatment to a child.