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03 November 2023
Cultivating hope: How Zambian smallholder farmers are benefitting from climate-resilient farming
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30 October 2023
UN Zambia Holds Fun Run in Support of the SDGs
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Speech
13 October 2023
REMARKS BY UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR, MS BEATRICE MUTALI, INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, 13 OCTOBER 2023
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Zambia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Zambia:
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25 September 2020
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To mark its 75th anniversary, the United Nations is launching a global conversation on the role of international cooperation in building the future we want.
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02 October 2020
Decade of Action
Deliver #ForPeopleForPlanet. We have 10 years to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals. The year 2020 kicks off a reaffirmation of the 2030 Agenda. Demonstrate action through ambition, mobilization and game-changing outcomes for people and for the planet.
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28 October 2020
Coronavirus global outbreak
Everyone is talking about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Take part in getting your facts from reliable sources.
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03 November 2023
Cultivating hope: How Zambian smallholder farmers are benefitting from climate-resilient farming
In Western Zambia, the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Regions I and II (SCRALA) project is transforming the lives of vulnerable smallholder farmers. Among those benefitting from the initiative is Nanswau Samisis from the village of Sabazibe in the heart of the Mulobezi District, Western Zambia.
Nanswau, is a single mother of three daughters and a son and the sole provider for her family.
In the past, Nanswau struggled to make ends meet. She lacked a reliable source of income, depending primarily on small-scale farming, cultivating crops such as beans, maize, and groundnuts. Her yields were frequently impacted by climate-related factors such as drought and flash floods.
Witnessing her children go hungry and sleep in an unstable thatched-roof house became an overwhelming source of concern for her.
"I would constantly worry about my children’s well-being and spend sleepless nights praying for opportunities to make a steady income so I could support them,” Nanswau said.
“I felt so anxious every time it rained. Due to a leaking thatched roof, my children and I would move into a corner just to avoid being soaked. Every day we would move things around the house to keep them from getting wet – but that did not help, we still ended up soaked," she said.
With their uniforms and books often drenched, the children’s school attendance was affected. Furthermore, all their household items – including clothing, African mat, and bedding – were consistently damp during the rainy season. This posed a significant risk of pneumonia for her family. “I feared that my children would get sick, “she said.
While rain was a constant source of anxiety, so too were recurring droughts.
“When my crops were affected by drought, we did not have any harvest and ended up cutting down on meals; at times we would sleep on empty stomachs. When I did piecemeal work on other people’s farms, I would buy a 2kg bag of maize meal that would only last us a day and this meant not eating the following days,” she said.
In 2022, Nanswau learnt about the SCRALA project through a camp extension officer who informed her about a meeting that was going to take place within her community regarding the project. Intrigued, she attended the meeting, during which the project’s aim was explained by project officers. Afterwards, her name was registered and was later selected-she qualified under the categories of vulnerable households.
Implemented by the Zambian Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and support by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and World Food Programme (WFP), the project – known as SCRALA – targets vulnerable smallholder farmers at risk of being left behind, such as women, the youth, persons with disabilities and the elderly. It aims to reach more than one million people, including transforming the lives of more than 940,000 farmers in Zambia.
The project operates across 16 districts in Zambia and provides comprehensive support to small-scale farmers throughout the agricultural value chain, from farm to market. This encompasses agricultural planning, production guidance, and post-production assistance, along with access to reliable weather information to enable farmers to make informed decisions, including which crops to plant and when.
Additionally, the project offers farmers farming inputs (seeds for resilient crops such as cowpeas, groundnut, maize seed, as well as soil kits and farming tools), enhanced knowledge of conservation agriculture, market access, financial management skills, and opportunities for alternative livelihoods such as goat and chicken farming, fish cultivation, and beekeeping.
These efforts aim to enhance food security, promote sustainable household income, promote climate-resilient agricultural production, thus contributing to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, notably No Poverty (Goal 1), Zero Hunger (Goal 2), and Climate Action (Goal 13).
Ultimately, the project is helping build a shock-responsive, risk-informed, and inclusive society, aligning with the country’s Eighth National Development Plan.
Nanswau's journey is just one example of the difference this vital initiative is making for communities facing growing challenges driven by climate change.
Later in the year, she had become a participant in the project’s pass-on mechanism-the model provides goats (four female and one male) to individuals who have been severely affected by climate change-especially focusing on women and persons with disabilities because they are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change. Under the mechanism, each participant initially receives five goats and subsequently, once their herd grows to 10, they pass on five goats to the next person in line.
“I was very happy when I received five goats last year because I knew for sure this meant a better life for me and my children, so I looked after the goats so well,” Nanswau said.
“I have managed to buy roofing sheets to renovate the house for me and my children. Before, we lived in constant fear of the thatched roof falling on us, especially during the rainy season,” said Nanswau.
After her goats reproduced, she proceeded to transfer five goats to another female small-scale farmer in her village while keeping 15 goats for herself. She then sold five of them for 4,000 Zambian Kwacha (approximately US$197.02).
“After selling my goats, I immediately engaged a local contractor to put a roof of iron sheets on my house and I paid him the entire amount from the sales. In a few weeks, the roofing was complete, and my family could not wait to sleep in the house, she said.”
“I remember the smiles on my children’s faces when we slept in the house with iron roofing for the first time; they knew what it meant—not being soaked anymore during the rainy season! We were all very happy and now feel safe," said Nanswau.
Empowered by the income from her goat sales, Nanswau has expanded her sources of income by rearing village chickens. She now owns over 20 which she can sell one at 50 ZMW each (approximately US$3.7). She also cultivates vegetables such as tomatoes, rape and Chinese cabbage and can make approximately ZMW 400 per month (around US$18.63). The extra income has not only improved her household's financial stability but also allowed her to invest in essential items such as goat medications and resilient seedlings capable of withstanding the harsh effects of climate change. Apart from that, Nanswau can afford three meals a day for her family and her children’s school attendance has significantly improved leading to better results.
“My children now eat three to four meals a day and go to school every day. Their grades are looking good now – for the first time, my youngest child was among the top 10 in his (5th) grade,” she said.
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Story
30 October 2023
UN Zambia Holds Fun Run in Support of the SDGs
Despite the October heat, over 800 people tuned up on Saturday 28 October 2023, at Lusaka’s Showgrounds to Run for the SDGs, in efforts to raise awareness and inspire actions on attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The run which saw people from all walks of life included government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, private sector and Civil Society representatives, youth and United Nations staff with their families participate in the Run/Walk for the Sustainable Development for either 5km or 10km to help raise awareness about the SDGs and inspire action to ensure achievement of the Global Goals in Zambia by the year 2030.
Speaking at the event, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali said that the Run for the SDGs event was about being inclusive because achievement of the SDGs requires actions from all of us at whichever level we are.
“Today is about learning a bit more about the SDGs and inspiring each other to act, so that together we can help Zambia make progress on the SDGs by the year 2030. Your presence speaks volumes about your commitment to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity”. Said Ms Mutali.
She further thanked all the private sector organizations that kindly agreed to join efforts with the UN, to make the run & walk possible. The sponsors and partners included Choz Fitness Club, Ethiopian Airlines, Pick & Pay, Prudential, Zambia Athletics, and ZANACO.
“We are grateful to the companies for their partnership because making progress on the SDGs requires the involvement of all, every individual and every sector. This is now more urgent than ever as we are at mid-point to the year 2030 which is the deadline for the SDGs. Many countries have experienced challenges in attainment of the SDGs due to unexpected challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and the impact of war and conflicts but here is hope that if we work together towards achieving the SDGs, we can get there,” she said.
The SDGs, which are fully aligned with Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan (8NDP), were adopted by all 193 UN Member States including Zambia in 2015 to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity.
The Run for the SDGs event was organised as part of commemorative events for the UN Day which is celebrated annually on 24 October.
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29 September 2023
Zambian Youth Embarks on a Journey to Innovate Pain Relief Solutions
Meet Retiana Tiyamike Phiri, a remarkable young scientist defying stereotypes. At just 20 years old, she is not your typical scientist. She is an outgoing and charismatic leader, overseeing a dynamic team of six innovators at Invenker Technologies, a startup consisting of four male and two female students. Retiana has invented a product called PEC, a pain relief solution for both children and adults.
Love for Science
Retiana's journey into the world of science was inspired by her father, who encouraged her and her sisters to excel in Mathematics and Science, breaking gender norms.
“I am the third born in a family of only girls. I have five sisters. Dad always said Maths and Science was also for girls and urged us to prove that we were smart and competitive.”
Despite occasional pressure from extended family members for the girls to choose what they termed ‘easy’ subjects and courses of study, Retiana and her siblings worked hard and excelled at Mathematics and Science subjects, sometimes perceived as difficult pathways for girls. While attending school at Roma Girls Secondary School in Lusaka, Retiana turned out to be the President for the school’s Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientists (JETS) club, a Zambian Government-led initiative that promotes the learning of scientific subjects through innovations and exhibitions among learners.
Health Challenge
According to Retiana, through her experience during industrial attachments as a bio-medical student, public health facilities in Zambia have limited options for pain relief while those in the private sector are expensive.
“Public hospitals do not have certain medical devices. The only things patients are exposed to are hot water bottles and pain killers and maybe a massage with rub-on or any type of rubbing balm. Private sector facilities have availability, but they are very costly because they are buying machines that will be used by more than one person,” she said.
Innovation
PEC was born in 2020 but developed in 2021 when Retiana enrolled to study for a Diploma in Biomedical Engineering at Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka. Since that year, she has not looked back in finding ways of relieving back pain, arthritis, and other types of physical discomfort among people.
“What triggered this idea was because I used to experience bad menstrual cramps every month. I would use either pain killers or hot water bottles.”
Both options presented problems for Retiana as she could not take pain killers all the time due to a kidney problem that she had experienced for four years. On the other hand, carrying around a hot water bottle was not convenient including the fact that the water would soon cool down and become ineffective.
Retiana also explains the convenience of PEC.
“Instead of waiting for me as a Biomedical Engineer to come and switch on and move the machine for them to properly set it up, we could have a more wearable form that is easily placed on the patient. Also note that imported wearable devices are expensive due to shipping costs so why not have something that is made here in Zambia and have more treatment options for that device”? she wondered.
A closer look at PEC
“We have come up with different devices and keep making improvements based on the feedback we get from clients. You cannot see the parts of the equipment as we assemble and then get someone to nicely place in a fabric that is comfortable to wear. I have made different wearable devices for different parts of the body, so it depends on where the pain is and you pick the right device,” she said.
Response
“Many people have tried my equipment. I too always use it when I experience abdominal pain. I also get a lot of feedback from my grandmother who usually experiences pain due to Arthritis. She tells me if I need to reduce the heat, vibration, or design for more comfort on the body,” Retiana explained.
Support from the United Nations
Retiana’s project was selected in 2021 through the National Innovation Initiative (NII) – a nationwide competitive call for innovations by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia and partners that included the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), PACRA and with support from UNFPA. Following her application, she won the Youngest Innovation Award under the 2021 National Innovation Initiative.
Following the award, her innovation has benefitted from mentorship and technical support from UNDP through its Accelerator Lab , which is part of UNDP’s drive to be an agile incubator of local solutions that have a high potential to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Further, the project, which is now under the experimentation stage. It has also benefitted from technical advice from engineering personnel from the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe, under the Experimentation Programme, led by the National Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) in collaboration with CBU located in Zambia’s mineral rich Copperbelt Province.. Within the college [Evelyn Hone], the team receives support from the Physiotherapy Department that provides guidance on needed adjustments to the innovation.
“Through the Accelerator Lab’s Experimentation Programme we are also receiving support with regulatory approval and guidance on procedures and purchasing of components. They have also assigned experts to provide feedback on engineering and technical aspects as we work towards trials and the launch,” said Retiana.
Due to Retina’s enthusiasm and passion for innovation, she is currently serving on the Experimentation Committee, providing strategic advice to the implementation of the Unipod (another UNDP Innovation initiative) being setup at the Copperbelt University to ensure that programs developed for female led innovations are relevant and targeted at promoting their participation.
Dreams
With a distant gaze, Retiana spelled out what she would like to see from her efforts.
“I want to be the first to manufacture medical equipment in Zambia and improve the health sector in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3. The more we manufacture our own equipment as Zambia, the better the health care access in this country,” she said.
“This innovation requires different types of skills, so we want to create employment not just for us but everyone. We want to hire more young people, women and girls that have the skill. We want to be impactful in different ways.”
Team
She believes that young people can make a difference.
“As young people we are energetic and have fresh brains. We can acquire different skills. Young people should be today’s leaders. We cannot wait for tomorrow,” she said.
One of her team members is Emmanuel Mwape, aged 23, a final year Biomedical Engineering Student at Evelyn Hone College. He embraces Retiana’s leadership and is happy to be part of the team.
“I do not feel intimidated being led by a female as women also have what it takes to lead. I met Retiana in 2021 as we were in the same class and wanted to know who this girl was that talked all smart. We had a long conversation that lasted from a few minutes to hours. We later started working together.”
Emmanuel sees a lot of promise in the PEC innovation. “Locally I see a lot of people being helped including the old, and others such as truck drivers who sit for a long hours as they drive and may end up with back pain. I see PEC being implemented and helping many people,” said Emmanuel.
As the globe stands at the halfway mark to 2030, which is the deadline for progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, youth-led efforts are key in fostering hope that countries can rescue the Global Goals in the remaining seven years.
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Story
22 September 2023
United Nations Supports Gender Equality and Women’s Participation Among Refugees
The Gender Equality and Women’s Participation Initiative (GEWPI), a programme funded by the Ireland Embassy in Zambia running from October 2022 to September 2023 is supporting the Government to address current gaps in existing coordination mechanisms across all key stakeholders in the Gender area.
The initiative plays a catalytic and key role in tackling the four critical areas for a gender transformative approach namely Strengthened Coordination, Research & Data, Diminishing Voices – Women’s Empowerment, and Social Cohesion – Male Involvement and GBV Prevention.
The GEWPI project strengthens UNHCR’s current programme in preventing, risk mitigation and responding to Gender Based Violence (GBV)/Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) in refugee settlements. To promote community ownership and sustainability of GBV prevention and response programmes, awareness campaigns are being conducted through engaging community structures, men and boys, the youth, and women in Mantapala Refugee Settlement.
Building on the existing activities with Implementing Partners including YWCA through coordination with UNFPA, UNHCR leads on inclusive engagement interventions for men and boys for GBV prevention through peer-to-peer support and youth facilitation of GBV prevention and women and girl’s empowerment dialogues in Mantapala.
In August 2023, the UN undertook a monitoring visit to Mantapala Refugee Settlement to assess progress made towards implementation of the programme activities through Research and Data in addition to Enhanced Social Cohesion by Male Involvement & GBV Prevention done with the Mens and Womens Networks. There was also a separate interaction with youth to get their views and concerns with the awareness training on GBV and Gender norms.
Furthermore, a one-day training workshop on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) was conducted for GRZ, UN Staff and Implementing Partners to ensure that they were aware and understood how to prevent and respond to SEA in the Mantapala Settlement.
At the close of the training, UNHCR Head of Field Office Kawambwa Awo Dede Cromwell had this to say, "The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse is important in the work that we do and it is our responsibility to protect those under our care".
On the final day of the monitoring visit, two UN Clubs were opened at Mantapala Primary and Secondary schools. Present at the launch were Headmen Kunda and Nsamiwa, members of the PTA, community leaders, teachers, and learners. The clubs are aimed at helping children and youth learn more about the UN, global issues and topical subjects such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Human Rights, Gender, Democracy, Health, and Governance. The clubs will enable learners to relate what they learn in class and other platforms to practical situations during debates, outreach activities, learning visits and related opportunities.
“This is a historic moment for the school, the learners and the community at large”, said Mr Naciuos Musata, Head Teacher, Mantapala Secondary School at the official opening of the club.
Voices from the community
“As a youth, I am grateful for the awareness training on SEA as it has helped me better understand how to protect myself from being abused.” *Angela
“Children are aware of their rights, this has helped reduce the chances of being abused by adults because they know where to go and report matters of abuse.” *James
“We have seen a significant reduction in issues of GBV in the community following the awareness sessions.” *Beauty
“My home is now a peaceful environment for my children and myself, we are now self-conscious in how we conduct ourselves.” *Martha
“We are respected in the community because of our training and the branding we have that easily helps identify us and our neighbours come to us when they are facing difficulties.” *Mary
“We urge the sponsors for this programme to continue with the good work.” *Moses
“The UN Clubs that have been opened at the two schools will enhance the learning experience of the children. Climate Change is a real issue here in Mantapala and I am glad that it is something that with the knowledge received will not only benefit the learners but the community as well” Headman Elastus Kunda.
*note real names
About Mantapala Refugee Settlement
Mantapala Settlement, which covers approximately 8,000 hectares, was established in January 2018 to host refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who entered Zambia through Luapula province and other northern border entry points. The refugees who are 7,943 as of 31st August 2023 coexist with a farming host community of approximately 7,000 people in 11 villages surrounding the settlement. In 2022, more than half of the refugee population in the settlement chose to return to the DRC as part of the voluntary repatriation programme which began in December 2021.
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Story
19 September 2023
UN General Assembly adopts declaration to accelerate SDGs
Mr. Guterres was speaking at the opening of a high-level forum at UN Headquarters where world leaders adopted a political declaration to accelerate action to achieve the 17 goals, which aim to drive economic prosperity and well-being for all people while protecting the environment.
“The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere,” he said.
Concerted, ambitious action
World leaders adopted the SDGs in 2015, promising to leave no one behind. The goals include ending extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, as well as green energy, and providing quality universal education and lifelong learning opportunities.
UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis noted that despite commitments, 1.2 billion people were still living in poverty as of 2022, and roughly eight per cent of the global population, or 680 million people, will still be facing hunger by the end of the decade. The international community cannot accept these numbers, he said.
"With concerted, ambitious action, it is still possible that, by 2030, we could lift 124 million additional people out of poverty and ensure that some 113 million fewer people are malnourished," he said.
Going backwards
Each of the 17 goals contains targets, with 169 overall, but the Secretary-General warned that currently only 15 per cent are on track, while many are going in reverse.
The political declaration "can be a game-changer in accelerating SDG progress," he said.
It includes a commitment to financing for developing countries and clear support for his proposal for an SDG Stimulus of at least $500 billion annually, as well as an effective debt-relief mechanism.
It further calls for changing the business model of multilateral development banks to offer private finance at more affordable rates for developing countries, and endorses reform of the international finance architecture which he has labelled "outdated, dysfunctional and unfair."
Millions still starving
The UN chief highlighted the need for action in six critical areas, starting with addressing hunger, which he called “a shocking stain on humanity, and an epic human rights violation.”
“It is an indictment of every one of us that millions of people are starving in this day and age,” he added.
The Secretary-General said the transition to renewable energy isn’t happening fast enough, while the benefits and opportunities of digitalization are not being spread widely enough.
Education cannot wait
At the same time, too many children and young people worldwide are victims of poor quality education, or no education at all, he continued, before shining a spotlight on the need for decent work and social protection.
Finally, he called for an end to the war on nature and “the triple planetary crisis” characterized by climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Ensure gender equality
“Cutting across all of these transitions is the need to ensure full gender equality,” he said. “It’s long past time to end discrimination, ensure a place at every table for women and girls, and to end the scourge of gender-based violence. “
Mr. Guterres highlighted UN response to each area, including initiatives to transform global food systems so everyone can have access to a healthy diet.
Other efforts focus on boosting investment in the renewable energy transition, promoting internet access for all, creating 400 million new “decent jobs”, and extending social protection to over four million people.
Testament to commitment
The President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Paula Narváez, was heartened by the adoption of the declaration, calling it a testament to leaders’ unwavering commitment towards implementing the SDGs.
ECOSOC is at the core of the UN system’s work on all three pillars of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental – and provides a platform for follow-up and review of the goals.
The two-day SDG Summit is the centrepiece of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, the annual gathering of Heads of State and Government, and Ms. Narváez also pointed to two other events on the agenda.
Seize the moment
She said the High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development will address the need for an international financial architecture that can respond to current needs and emerging challenges.
Meanwhile, the Climate Ambition Summit presents an opportunity for decisive progress on climate action and to raise the bar for more timely and targeted efforts.
“This week should serve as a turning point to rescue the SDGs,” she said. “We must not let this moment slip away.”
*Source: https://news.un.org/
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Press Release
13 October 2023
Zambia joins clarion call to end Gender Based Violence in Southern Africa
The United Nations (UN) in Zambia has joined other UN teams in five Southern African countries in preparing a five-year program aimed at eliminating Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Southern Africa, alongside Governments, Partners and Civil Society organizations.
The intervention comes amidst revelations that an estimated 33 percent of women in Southern Africa have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in their lifetime, compared to the global 27 percent. These statistics have stirred up countries in the sub-region to escalate an innovative and whole-of-society approach of response and preventive measures against GBV in the region.
Speaking during a satellite meeting held in Lusaka for the High-Level Partnership Rountable meeting in Pretoria on 10 October 2023, Gender Division Permanent Secretary Ms Mainga Kabika appreciated support from the governments of Ireland and Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States of America as well as the European Union in addressing GBV. She noted the GBV is a human rights violation that impacts development.
“We must recognize that Gender-Based Violence is a human rights violation that impedes social progress, economic development, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. Our collective response as governments must strive to be holistic, inclusive, and multi-faceted,” she said.
Speaking at the Pretoria meeting that brought together six UN Country Teams, Governments, cooperating partners and civil society organizations from the six countries - Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, the UN Resident Coordinator in Zambia, Ms Beatrice Mutali, called for a more intensive and concerted approach by all to push for concrete changes to help fight GBV.
“We have the full support of the UN Secretary General, who included the fight against GBV and the Spotlight Initiative as one of the 12 High Impact initiatives aimed at demonstrating that transformative progress is possible despite challenging global circumstances to achieve the SDGs by 2030. We all need to do our part, through targeted communications and key messages that will drive positive behaviour change in Southern Africa,” she said.
Ms Mutali said that the worrying statistics indicate that Southern African is a leading sub-region on the continent with disturbingly high GBV prevalence and that advocacy and communication at various levels need to be heightened for effective behavioural change.
Meanwhile Chairperson of the Partnership Roundtable UN Resident Coordinator for Lesotho, Ms Amanda Mukwashi lamented the daily violence that women and girls face, which remains a “footnote in development” and relegated to a social development that is not considered as a big-ticket item such as the economy, natural resources and governance.
In a bid to demystify GBV by giving a voice to GBV Survivors, participants heard testimonies from South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia and Zambia that revealed the need to break the silence and cultural norms which contribute to perpetuating GBV.
The meeting demonstrated a linkage between development and GBV, poverty and GBV, which must be eliminated if women are to become free. The correlation was made by the Guest of Honour, Honourable Minister of Women, Youths and Disabilities for South Africa, Ms Nkosazana Dlamini. “Because we have created an environment of dependency, where women depend on men for survival and in a case where women decide to separate from this dependency, they often become victims of GBV,” Ms Dlamini-Zuma said.
The call for a systemic and wholesome approach to end GBV, which was made at the High Level Partner Sub-Regional meeting, is timely with the launch of the five-year anti-GBV programme that builds on the experiences and lessons learned from the previous Spotlight Initiative and focusses on transformative pillars of action such as human rights-based approach, leaving no one behind, national capacity and ownership, and a whole-system approach.
This, according to Ms Beatrice Mutali, is an approach that must be embraced because it focuses “on implementing the principle of Leave No One Behind by ensuring the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and other marginalised and underserved populations”.
Citing her government’s commitment to continued partnership in fighting GBV, the Irish Ambassador to Zambia and Namibia, Ms Bronagh Carr, who spoke through a video message, noted that GBV was a core priority for Ireland.
“The task we have ahead is immense and will require all our inputs and all of our support. The focus must be on changing attitudes, gender roles and stereotypes, it means making violence against women and girls unacceptable. Lessons learnt in the previous Spotlight Initiative must be well articulated and disseminated,” Ambassador Carr said, who called for ensuring that prevention was at the heart of the intervention.
Other Cooperating Partners whose voices were heard in support of the Joint Initiative include the European Union, the United States of America, Canada and France. Those present in the satellite meeting in Lusaka included Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Gender, Ms Mainga Kabika, representatives from the embassies of Ireland and Sweden, FDCO, USAID, academia, NGOs, people with disabilities, women and youth group leaders.
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For more information, please contact:
Mark Maseko, National Information Officer; United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lusaka, P: +260-211-386200;
E: masekom@un.org
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Press Release
02 October 2023
United Nations Zambia to host SDGs Run in Lusaka to mark UN Day
The United Nations in Zambia will on Saturday 28 October 2023 hold a 5km and 10km awareness run dubbed ‘Run for the SDGs’ to create awareness about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are fully embedded in Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan and inspire action in support of these development goals. The event, which will take place at the Agricultural Showgrounds in Lusaka, shall be open to the public with no participation fee required.
Speaking during a media briefing held this morning at the UN House, UNICEF Zambia Representative and Co-Chair of the UN Communication Group (UNCG), Ms Penelope Campbell, called for concerted efforts in the attainment of the SDGs.
“We want to inspire individual, family and community action in support of the SDGs in Zambia through any kind of action, no matter how small. Together we can make a difference as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires a whole of society approach. It is not just a responsibility of government, the UN, or NGOs. It is a responsibility of all of us to be aware of and to make a difference,” said Campbell.
Ms Campbell added the importance of accelerating actions for the SDGs.
“Since we are at mid-point to the year 2030 with only seven more years to go, we need to accelerate actions at all levels across society. Achievement of the SDGs has been hampered but there is hope that we can rescue the SDGs by 2030,” she said.
And UNESCO Zambia Team Leader Alice Saili who is also Co-Chair of the UNCG said that the 2023 UN Day commemorations will include educational outreach to colleges and universities.
“Apart from a Social Media campaign and different sports and activities by UN staff and partners, we will also have dialogues with students in colleges and universities. Young people are very resourceful in terms of the actions to be taken around the SDGs. Young people need to be involved and allowed to bring their energy, innovation and creativity to support the Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Ms Saili.
United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. The UN in Zambia commemorates this day through various activities to share key messages about the work of the UN and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided UN work for the past 77 years.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States (including Zambia) in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Take part and learn more by registering for the “Run for the SDGs”, which is open at: https://www.unzambiarun4sdgs.com/
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Press Release
19 May 2023
PRESS RELEASE
Lusaka, 18 May 2023 – The United Nations in Zambia, in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and supported by the American Government in Zambia, has launched a Forensic DNA Laboratory under the National Forensic Science and Biometrics Department that will offer the state-of-the-art analysis of DNA evidence in the resolution of sexual and other violent crimes, especially those perpetrated against children, women and other vulnerable groups.
Speaking at the launch on 16 May, the UN Resident Representative, Ms Beatrice Mutali said, “the establishment of this DNA Lab is a big and important step in our efforts to decrease the number of genuine cases lost in the judicial system as DNA is a powerful investigative tool. Therefore, strengthening the forensic system in Zambia is a big gamechanger for women and girls who fall victim to sexual offences,”
The UN Resident Coordinator underscored that the establishment of this DNA Lab is a big and important step in decreasing the number of genuine cases lost in the judicial system as DNA is a powerful investigative tool. Therefore, strengthening the forensic system in Zambia is a big gamechanger for women and girls who fall victim to sexual offences. The lab, which will be hosted by Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU), is the missing link in many sexual and gender based violent cases in Zambia. The forensic DNA evidence will annul the major setbacks in obtaining the much-needed justice for survivors of rape and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). With the establishment of the Forensic DNA laboratory, witness and survivor statements regarding the crime will now be corroborated by the DNA evidence.
The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Honourable Jack Mwiimbu, who was present at the launch and welcomed the Forensic DNA Lab as a development that has led the Government of the Republic of Zambia to re-commit itself to the national zero tolerance to GBV, “with the opening of the Forensic DNA laboratory, the Government of the Republic of Zambia re-comits itself to the national zero tolerance of GBV and to improve quality access to GBV response services”.
The Forensic DNA Laboratory, which is managed by the National Forensic Science and Biometrics Department, will categorize traces, isolate DNA, quantify and multiply DNA, and to profile/analyze the DNA. It is a Lab that expects to prioritize the examination of evidential material from the cases of SGBV, in order to support the investigations and resolution of these cases by the Zambia Police Service. The Forensic DNA Laboratory will also work with the; Zambia Police Service officers, and the medical officers from the Ministry of Health who handle evidential material for DNA analysis, in ensuring that the identification, collection, packaging, storage and transportation of the evidential material attain the acceptable International standards. Already 30 cases have been processed successfully and enabling conclusive investigations.
The United States through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their cooperating partner, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), supported the acquisition of the equipment for Forensic DNA analysis valued whilst the United Nations in Zambia with the support of its cooperating partners, contributed to the partitioning of the Laboratory’s office space, procurement and installation of the air-conditioning systems, and the procurement of the first batch of reagents for DNA analysis.
Through the GRZ-UN Joint programme on GBV Phase II that involves UNDP, IOM, ILO, UNFPA and UNICEF, the UN in Zambia has been supporting the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security on prevention and response to GBV services. This has been made possible through support from the Governments of Ireland and Sweden.
The UN System in Zambia remains committed in the fight against GBV, which has been included as an important theme in our new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2023-2027, to ensure continued work towards the achievement of gender equality as well as elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls ensuring access to justice, in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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For more information, please contact:
Mark Maseko, National Information Officer
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lusaka,
P: +260-211-386200;
E: masekom@un.org
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Press Release
18 April 2023
News Release- UN experts concerned over delay in Zambia’s debt restructuring
“We are worried that despite positive reforms undertaken by the Government of Zambia, the delays in sovereign debt restructuring compromise its ability to mobilise and maximise resources for the full realisation of human rights, as per its obligations under international human rights law,” the experts said.
In August 2022, Zambia secured a 38-month Extended Credit Facility of USD 1.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At the end of its first review of this programme on 6 April 2023, the IMF Mission recognised the country’s progress as a result of robust structural fiscal and other reforms. However, continued delays on debt restructuring pose real risks for retrogression, including with respect to the country’s economic transformation agenda and aspirations for a better standard of living for its people.
The experts said that while social spending had increased, the economic dividends of sustained reforms and debt relief will go much further in creating the conditions and opportunities on which Zambia’s population can capitalise.
As per a 2022 UNDP report, more than 54 low-and middle-income countries are under critical debt distress and need urgent relief. Debt burden and prioritisation of debt servicing leads to austerity driven policies contravening international human rights obligations of States including their right to restructure sovereign debt.
The experts urged the Official Creditor Committee for Zambia to aim for and share a concrete timeframe for the conclusion of its deliberations.
“One of the major reasons for this delay in debt restructuring is the lack of a globally coordinated multilateral sovereign debt mechanism that places traditional and private lenders at an equal footing,” the experts said. “Despite the proactive steps taken by Zambia, undoubtedly the delay will affect the efficacy of the credit facility programme. There is a window of opportunity in 2023 to enable Zambia and its people to consolidate recent successes and all of Zambia’s partners must step-up,” they said.
The experts called for a multilateral sovereign debt mechanism under the UN guided by existing human rights frameworks and principles to ensure a rights-aligned recovery for countries suffering from debt distress and a reduced fiscal space.
The experts are in dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including private lenders, concerning the impact of the unsustainable sovereign debt level on the country’s ability to ensure the realisation of human rights of its population.
ENDS
*The experts: Ms Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights; Mr. Saad Alfarargi, Special Rapporteur on the right to development; Mr. Olivier de Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
For more information and media requests, please contact the mandate of the Independent Expert on Foreign Debt at hrc-ie-foreigndebt@un.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org)
Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.
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Press Release
28 February 2023
WHO Zambia releases USD285,000 to support Cholera Response in Eastern Province
Lusaka, 28 February 2023 – The World Health Organization (WHO) in Zambia has released USD285,000 to support the ongoing response to the cholera outbreak in Eastern Province. Since the outbreak was announced by the Minister of Health on January 26, 2023, a total of 191 suspected cases of cholera, including 4 deaths have been reported.
As part of the outbreak response, WHO Zambia is working with the Ministry of Health at National, Provincial and District levels, including the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) to rapidly put in in place interventions that will protect people and limit the spread of the outbreak to other districts across the province.
“Cholera outbreaks are of great concern to us, and especially that cholera is preventable, and Zambia has the right preventative tools in place. As WHO in Zambia we will continue to support the Ministry of Health in implementing immediate and long-term cholera control, response, and preventive measures. The funds released will help ensure that lives continue to be saved, and a resilient health system is maintained during and beyond the current outbreak," says Dr Nathan Bakyaita, WHO Representative in Zambia.
The funds released will allow WHO Zambia and partners to scale up priority response activities to effectively monitor and control the outbreak by:
scaling up WHO and national surveillance interventions,
providing essential support to laboratories to enhance diagnosis,
providing technical assistance to set up adequate cholera treatment centers,
training national and district health staff in case definition and management
pre-positioning cholera kits and supplies in high-risk areas
conducting health education sessions and risk communication and community engagement activities
“Eastern Province is uniquely positioned as some of the affected districts border Malawi and Mozambique, which too, have Cholera outbreaks, putting the whole province at high risk. For us to ensure we control and end the outbreak, we need to ensure that integrated critical tools of preparedness, response and prevention are in place. We need to enhance surveillance, care delivery and strengthen coordination and joint response at all levels,” added Dr Bakyaita.
Since the declaration of a cholera outbreak in January 2023, WHO has been working closely with the Ministry of Health to support deployment of surge staff and provide logistical support in the affected districts.
Note to editor:
WHO Zambia in December 2022, donated Cholera Central Reference kits; cholera peripheral kits; cholera community kits; 400 cholera laboratory kits; 500 cholera investigative kits amounting to ZMW 921,545 to support the preparedness and response in hotspot areas.
The WHO Zambia team is working with the Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen disease surveillance, provide technical assistance in all the pillars of outbreak response including case management, monitoring of water quality and chlorination of public water supplies, and promote health education and hygiene among affected and at-risk communities.
For additional information or to request interviews please contact:
Ms Kafusha Kapema
Communications Officer
WHO Zambia
Email: KapemaK@who.int
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