The Ministries of Gender and Justice have denied responsibility for the delays in enacting a standalone Early Childhood Development (ECD) law in the country.

Pauline Kaude, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, told Zodiak that the Ministry had submitted the draft bill to the Ministry of Justice for review before it could be presented to the National Assembly for assent.

"All we can say at the moment is that the draft bill for the law is currently with our counterparts at the Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs," said Kaude.

However, Frank Namangale, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, remained tight-lipped on when the bill would be tabled in parliament.

In 2022, the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs engaged a consultant to formulate an Early Childhood Development Act to provide proper guidance on coordinating ECD affairs in the country.

Despite existing acts such as the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act, and the Wills and Inheritance Act, which also address children's affairs, the country does not have a standalone Early Childhood Development law which activists say puts children at risk.