Kenyan MP With Baby Thrown Out Of Parliament

Earlier this week a Kenyan Member of Parliament (MP), Zulekha Hassan, was thrown out of the legislature after brining her five-month old baby to work. 

Hassan was escorted from the premises by the sergeant-at-arms and followed by a number of other female representatives who departed in protest at her forced eviction. 

Hassan is one of 47 women’s representatives appointed to the house in a bit to increase female political representation in the country. Commenting on the incident Hassan stated,  “I have tried really hard not to come with the baby, but today I had an emergency; what was I supposed to do? If parliament had a nursery or a creche I would be able to put my baby there. 

“Now as we ask for more women to come into parliament, you need to provide a family friendly atmosphere.”

The forced ejection has sparked debate both within and outside of the Assembly, with several members speaking out in support of Hassan and the need to provide supportive working conditions for women with families, while others opposed the suggestion, including the majority leader who described her actions as “out of order.”