This is 18 year old Eunice from the rural district of Nkeyema district which has limited number of services. Eunice is a member of the child rights clubs formed by Caritas Zambia. As a chairperson of the club since 2018, she led a number of sensitization programs in schools and communities on Child abuse, Sexual abuse, child labour, violence against children, effects of corporal punishment in schools, gender based violence, early marriages and defilement among others. Unlike many children in her district, Eunice was privileged to have the opportunity to voice out on issues affecting Children in her community. Beyond the Caritas Zambia projects, she has participated in a number of online sessions on child reference groups organised by the United Nations (UN), covering topics on climate change and how it has affected children, women and girls around the world.
“I also had an opportunity to participate in children’s parliament in 2021 were we were asked to contribute to the 2022 budget as a way of involving children in decision making. I also had an opportunity to participate on the radio presentations on the day of an African child were we discussed the challenges that are faced by African Children”. She explains.
Through her interaction with Caritas from 2018, Eunice became aware of her rights and could now identify the abuses in her community. “A lot of the children who get pregnant are forced to marry the men responsible for their pregnancies, I used to think that was just a normal way of helping the children to avoid the shame of being laughed at, but now I realise it is a form of abuse “she said. Caritas Zambia through support from Save the children Zambia implemented the Action for the Protection of Children Project, aimed at empowering Civil Society actors, communities and children so that they influence government at national and local level to put in place structures and systems that protect children and strengthen accountability to deliver and invest in children’s rights. Through this project, Caritas Zambia targeted children in Nkeyema, Kalabo, Ngabwe, Mkushi, Sinazongwe, Siavonga and Lusaka districts, who are the main project target stakeholders.
The Project’s overall goal is that, Civil Society actors, communities and children influence government at National and local level to put in place structures and systems that protect children and strengthen accountability to deliver and invest in children’s rights. When this is achieved, it will help to support effective protection of children from all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation. “I have taken it upon myself to try and change the situation in my district, because I am now able to speak out on injustices, abuses and other bad vices against children” says Eunice.
Against this background, Eunice has launched a child led initiative dubbed “Children’s Rights and Welfare First”. The project, whose primary target is girls and boys below the age 18 years (in and out of school) specifically 5 to 18 years of age, from Kalale, Munkuye, Shimano, Nkeyema, Nalumino Mundia and Kanwanda Communities and Schools, is based on building the capacities of boys and girls to participate in decision making positions where children will be empowered and provided with opportunities, platforms and spaces to take action on matters that affect their rights and well-being. The project will be Child-Led. Children and young people will be empowered to take lead in decision making and supported to establish child led initiatives or clubs that will work with the Eunice and friends to advance the rights of children by ensuring their rights are protected, promoted, fulfilled and respected.
“I have great passion and interest in working with children in my district and this opportunity allows me to further this action and extend it to other children and youths within and even beyond my district” Eunice explains. In its initial stages, Caritas Zambia will provide technical support to the initiative, with support from Save the Children Zambia. The initiative will be anchored under Caritas Zambia support until the time when the initiative is fully strengthened to stand on, legally registered and independently operate with minimal support.
SUBMISSION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL GUIDANCE AND GENDER MATTERS
November 2021
“Welfare of Women and Girls Living With Disabilities”
1.0. INTRODUCTION
One of the most precise and widely accepted definition of Disability inclusion is understanding the relationship between the way people function and how they participate in society, and making sure everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires.
Download the entire “WELFARE OF WOMEN AND GIRLS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES” - Caritsa Zambia submission to the parliamentary committee on national guidance and gender matters here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/key_papers/WELFARE-OF-WOMEN-AND-GIRLS-SUBMISSION-to-PARLIAMENT.pdf
Caritas Zambia Submission to Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resource
Subsidies and the FISP Program
INTRODUCTION
Following the invitations made to individual organizations to make submissions towards the Review of the Implementation of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), a Consortium of CSOs however, collectively put up this submission following the commonality of issues raised among them in the recent past regarding FISP. The CSOs have welcomed the approach by the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources in undertaking a detailed study on the review of FISP by engaging many players among them CSOs. We the Consortium of CSOs is preview to the terms of reference that include;
Download the entire Caritas Zambia Submission to Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resource - Subsidies and the FISP Program here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/key_papers/Submission-to-Parliamentary-Committee-on-Agriculture-FISP.pdf
THE SPIRITUALITY OF AGROECOLOGY
1.0. Introduction
When we talk about agroecology we mean a holistic way of growing our food that take into account the demands and dictates of nature. In other words, human beings working together, with the environment to produce food and wealth. This demands that we listen to messages the environment is sending to us as we till the land and use nature’s resources for our food requirements.
Download the entire PRESENTATION AT THE STAKEHOLDERS’ CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON NUTRITION IN ZAMBIA here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/key_papers/SPIRITUALITY-OF-AGROECOLOGY.pdf
“CCMG PVT Verifies the ECZ Official Results for the Presidential Election Reflect the Ballots Cast at Polling Stations”
16 August 2021
Introduction
Today, the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) is releasing its verification statement on the accuracy of the presidential results. CCMG conducted a parallel vote tabulation (PVT) for the presidential election as part of our comprehensive monitoring of the 2021 general elections. As we stated during the preliminary statement, CCMG completed its PVT by 12 noon on Friday 13 August 2021 with over 99% of our monitors having sent in their observation reports. Had it proved necessary, CCMG would have released its PVT estimates if we had any indication there was manipulation of the official results. We commend the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for fulfilling its constitutional duty with honour and are grateful to them for not having to do so. CCMG now confirms that its PVT verifies that ECZ’s official presidential results reflect the ballots cast at polling stations.
Download the entire CCMG Verification Statement on the Accuracy of the Official 2021 Presidential Results here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/CCMG-Verification-Statement-16-August 2021.pdf
Caritas Chipata with support from CCO will provide safe water to more than 4000 people in Mwambula, Mazala, Chivunga, Kalindawalo and Chitengeni communities.
Some civil society organizations in Chipata are demanding for justification from ECZ, the Electoral Commission of Zambia on why they have proposed to increase nomination fees.
