FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
LUSAKA | Friday 17th 2026
Caritas Zambia is deeply concerned about recent developments that continue to expose children to heightened risks of abuse, exploitation, and neglect. These incidents underscore the urgent need for stronger family responsibility, community vigilance, and government enforcement of child protection systems and laws. As a faith-based institution, we also believe in raising children as guided by the teaching of Jesus Christ as we reflect on some of the teachings from; Matthew 18:10; ‘‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” This is a clear reminder that children are precious before God, and harming them is a grave offense.
As a Church, our perspective on the environment is anchored in the prophetic words of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his encyclical, Laudato Si’ - “On Care for Our Common Home”. The Document reminds us that the Earth, our common home, "is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth." He challenges us to recognize that we cannot separate our relationship with nature from our relationship with God and each other.
Therefore, we have observed with concern the few key incidences as follows:
Download the entire signed copy of the CARITAS Zambia Sounds Alarm Over Rising Child Abuse: Criticizes "Modern-Day Parenting" And Political Exploitation Of Children statement here: https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/Caritas-Statement-on-Child-Abuse.pdf
