Editor,

Saying that "the law governing the maternity fund aims at enabling the good health of both children and their mothers” is really appreciated by everyone in formal sector, but in informal sector, it is a bit different.

For instance, a woman who works for a certain trader will not enjoy that time of maternity leave. I know a mum who is a trader, she plies Kigali-Kampala route two times a week, and she takes only one week to take care of her newborn after giving birth.

So, I think, the rationale behind the proposed maternity fund is to protect the rights of the children, especially the newborns, and to encourage Rwandan women to take care of their babies after giving birth.

I suggest that institutions with children rights in their attributions speak out for the workers in the informal sector as well—and all Rwandans in general—to comply with the issue of taking care of newborns.

John Kigaju

Reaction to the story, "Bill on maternity fund finally goes to Parliament” (The New Times, May 27)