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.