This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
On Wednesday, a dramatic scene unfolded in Parliament when Kwale Woman Representative Zulekha Hassan entered the chambers with her baby, causing a disruption in proceedings.
According to reports, Luanda MP Christopher Omulele, who was temporarily presiding over the House, ordered Ms Hassan out of the chambers, citing the national assembly's standing orders that restrict access to the chambers during business hours.
However, Ms Hassan defended her actions, arguing that Parliament has failed to provide lactating members with specially designed rooms to breastfeed their babies, as mandated by a law passed in the 11th Parliament.
Addressing the press later, Ms Hassan explained that she had no choice but to bring her baby to Parliament after experiencing an emergency on Wednesday morning.
"I had an emergency and decided not to miss work but come with the baby. She is not an atomic bomb and can't explode," Ms Hassan told journalists.
The incident sparked a heated debate among women lawmakers, who accused Parliament of acting in contravention of the law passed in the 11th Parliament.
