Section 11 of Children’s Act says a child shall have a right to a name and nationality. Rose Mbanya, a family lawyer, further quotes Section 24 where the law gives no preference for surnames to come from either sexes. “In patriarchal societies identity is greatly valued such that one can draw a perfect family tree just by using surnames,” Prof Shauri says. In patriarchal societies a child (especially a boy), will be named after their father regardless of his presence in the child’s life. In patriarchal societies, identity plays a central role in the assigning of surnames.

Source: Standard Digital March 10, 2019 21:45 UTC