MINISTER DOREEN MWAMBA GRACES EAGLES LADIES CLUB COCKTAIL PARTY

 By ANNIE ZULU

Community Development and Social Services Minister  Honourable Doreen Mwamba on Friday night graced the Eagles Ladies Club cocktail party to mark closure of the three-day Governance and Leadership  Workshop at the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Chamba Valley Banquet Hall in Lusaka.

 

The workshop which was attended by members from over 42 ZNS camps countrywide sought to raise financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills among the women.

 

Participants of the workshop were empowered with various skills such as farming, art, sewing and cattle rearing among others.

 

Ms Mwamba who also took part in awarding of certificates to participants, urged them to utilise the skills acquired to better their lives and those of other women.

 

She said it was Government’s desire to see more women getting involved in various business and economical activities of the country.

 

“The nation will closely  watch to see how this group  of determined women will change the  course  of their lives and those of others for good. Therefore, continue  sharpening  as well as putting to work what has been imparted to you,” Ms Mwamba said.

 

And the Minister commended the Club for its transformation from just a social club to business-driven club, stressing that this will serve as a flagship for many women  groups.

 

She also encouraged the club to take advantage of the enhanced Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP), which is expected to be more comprehensive in its support to all forms of agricultural  productivity.

 

She further assured that her Ministry will do everything within its mandate to render support and lobby well-meaning institutions to support  the programs of the club.

 

Meanwhile, Eagles Ladies Club Patron Angela Solachi thanked the Minister  for her invaluable  support  to the club, saying this was an indicator that the programmes of the club were received by Government.

 

Ms Solachi also announced  that the training workshops  will be held annually in order  to keep members abreast with the ever-changing dynamics of the business  environment.

 

 

 

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, TOP PRIORITY- SAYS MINISTER

By ANNIE ZULU

COMMUNITY Development and Social Services Minister Honorable Doreen Mwamba says women empowerment is one of the New Dawn Government’s top priorities.

Ms Mwamba said Government recognized the important role that women play in alleviating poverty in the country, especially at household level.

She said this was the reason why Government through her Ministry has put in place various programmes aimed at empowering women.

The Minister said this when she officiated at the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Eagles Ladies Club Workshop in Lusaka. 

The workshop which is attended by women from over 42 ZNS camps countrywide seek to raise financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills among members.

And Ms Mwamba has commended the management of the club for coming up with the initiative, stressing that the workshop will help in reducing household vulnerability through  empowerment skills such as farming, art, sewing and cattle rearing among others been offered.

She also implored the club to consider extending similar empowerment skills to other women who are not members.

Ms Mwamba who has also been appointed as Brand Ambassador for the Club, pledged to widely promote products of the club and assured them a ready market. 

She said her Ministry is open to partner with progressives groups who go out of their way to supplement the efforts of Government by engaging in economic activities.

She further urged corporate bodies to support the economic activities of the club through pledges and donations.

Speaking at the same event, Eagles Ladies Club Patron Angela Solachi said the club has expanded its operation model from just doing charity work to empowering its members with various entrepreneurship skills. 

Ms Solachi said this will enable members to be innovative and help to address some of the economic challenges not only in their households but communities too.

GOVERNMENT TO GIVE FREE SUNSCREEN TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALBINISM

By ANNIE ZULU

GOVERNMENT says people living with albinism will get free sunscreens through the Ministry of Health.

Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Honourable Doreen Mwamba says her ministry is keen to ensure that those living with albinism are well taken care of.

Speaking this morning when she met with Canadian businessman and philanthropist, Mr Peter Ash, who was accompanied by Albinism Foundation of Zambia(AFZ) members at her office, the Minister emphasized that  Government has prioritized the welfare of people with albinism by taking various steps such discouraging discrimination against them, and also providing social security, while demystifying traditional and cultural perceptions.

Minister Doreen Mwamba with member of the Zambia Police Service Commission John Chiti

Mrs Mwamba said Government realizes the challenges that people with albinism face such as social and economic insecurities which has resulted in more measures to empower them put in place.

She said up to date, over 20 cases of attacks on people living with albinism have been recorded but assured that government is ensuring that such challenges are dealt with conclusively.

And Mr Ash identified public education as one key area that needed attention  in Zambia, as there were a lot of misconception regarding albinism.

He pledged to work with  stakeholders in the country in sensitizing the public, saying it will help stop killings and other harmful practices  against  people living with albinism.

The meeting also tackled the need to have an action plan on people living with albinism in order to create a legal framework on matters affecting them.

Meanwhile, Albinism Foundation of Zambia representative, Mr John Chiti, who is also member of the Zambia Police Service Commission appreciated the Ministry’s efforts in uplifting the welfare of persons  with disabilities and pledged to work hand in hand with all stakeholders in changing the narrative about people living with albinism in particular.

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS CHAMPION TO BE IDENTIFIED- MINISTER

By ANNIE ZULU

COMMUNITY Development and Social Services Minister  Doreen Mwamba has assured that a Champion for children’s rights figure will be identified.

Ms Mwamba made the assurance when Child Fund Country Director Simba Machingaidze paid a courtesy call on her at her office.

Mr Machingaidze who was accompanied by the organization’s Program Director Doris Chirwa expressed concern that for some time now, the country has had no notable public figure to actively champion the rights of children.

He said a Champion figure would play a significant role in advocating for children’s rights and soliciting support for children’s programmes.

“There is need for a Champion for children’s issues and it must be a public figure at high level like the First Lady, someone who will be able to articulate issues affecting children in Zambia and seek solutions,” Mr Machingaidze said.

He also shared with the Minister various programmes that his organization was implementing throughout the country.

“We have various programmes such as mobilizing communities, advocacy and sensitization among others. We work in different communities across the country and our work is to connect children with people and resources, also ensure that they have what they need. We work with partners, including Government and children themselves,” he said.

And the Minister said a pronouncement would soon be made regarding Champion for children’s rights figure.

Ms Mwamba said her Ministry was taking the lead in addressing issues affecting children in the country, stressing that children were the future and as such, should be protected.

“This is why we have pushed and worked hard to take the Children’s Code Bill further. The Bill has provisions that will ensure that children are protect, child abuse, early marriage, child labour and any other violence against children will be a thing of the past,” she said.

Ms Mwamba further said her Ministry would continue engaging with partners, in improving the welfare of children in the country.

 

 

EARLY MARRIAGES IN CHONGWE WORRY TRADITIONAL LEADER

 

By NOEL IYOMBWA IN Chongwe

A traditional leader in Chongwe says parents are marrying off their girl children at a tender age then faking their ages to avoid being prosecuted by the authorities.

Speaking during a men to men strategy on gender based violence training programme in Kasisi, Christopher Mwila the Kasenga Resettlement Area chairperson said instead of taking them to school, many parents are marrying of their under age girl children sometimes to older men to avoid the responsibilities.

He disclosed that cases of gender based violence were also a source of concern in the area.

Mwila said that most GBV cases are not reported because of the vulnerability of most women in area.

"Early marriages and gender based violence cases are ripe here in the resettlement area. Many parents fail to take responsibility of their girl children hence they marry them off at young ages. The other concern is GBV cases in this area. Many men abuse their wives but the cases are unreported and sometimes when reported, they withdraw cases because of poverty," he said. 

"But with such trainings for men and women it can change the narrative. Information is vital in this case because men and women are able to know what is good and bad in terms of GBV."

He called on parents to stop marrying off their children but take them to school because government has introduced free education for all.

Mwila further implored women and men to report cases of GBV to relevant authorities to avoid loss of lives. 

Meanwhile, Zambia National Men's Network for Gender psychosocial councilor Fridah Phiri said effects of marriage were huge on the girl child.

Phiri said early marriages were a source and drivers of gender based violence.

"These children do not even understand what marriages are all about and in most cases these marriages are not even stable and drivers of GBV. A girl child in early marriages is also at a risk of getting sicknesses and challenges when it comes to delivering. In most cases children being born from early marriages end up in the streets," she said.

Phiri expressed concern at the high number of early marriages and GBV cases in Chongwe district.

She said that there is need for massive senstisation in the area. 

Speaking at the same function Zambia National Men's Network for Gender Based Violence national coordinator Nelson Banda observed the increase in the number of suicide cases among men as a result of them not speaking out.

Banda said men were also victims of gender based violence but fail to speak out whenever there are going through GBV in homes hence resort to taking their own lives.

He urged men who are victims of GBV not to shy away but report such cases to the police adding that ZNMNGD helps such people.

 

SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER TO BE DISBURSED ON TIME- MINISTER

By ANNIE ZULU

COMMUNITY Development and Social Services Minister, Doreen Mwamba has assured that the Social Cash Transfer and other social protection programs will be disbursed on time.

Ms Mwamba said Government understands how critical the program is to the incapacitated and vulnerable households and individuals.

She said beneficiaries would now be receiving payments within 72 hours.

The Minister said this when she addressed Community Welfare Assistance Committee members (CWACS) and the community in Lusaka's Chainda Township.

Minister Doreen Mwamba

Ms Mwamba also warned the members against engaging in illegal dealings during the implementation of the Social Cash Transfer program, saying government will not hesitate to take punitive measures against anyone who frustrates efforts to improve the welfare of the vulnerable in society.

She urged the members to strictly follow the guidelines when selecting people to put on the Social Cash Transfer program.

She noted that previously the selection of beneficiaries was marred with corruption, nepotism and political alignment, resulting in some unqualified people receiving the social protection security incentives.

“Social Cash Transfer is non- political, its for every Zambian who qualifies. Time for playing politics is long gone, this is the time to work for the people of Zambia. Ensure that real beneficiaries are put on the program,” Ms Mwamba said.

"We have a vision and we know where we want to take this country" She assured, with a call for unity of purpose from all stakeholders in making the social protection programs successful.

And she Mwamba has disclosed that donor confidence has been restored following heightened transparency and effectiveness in the disbursement of the programme.

The Minister has noted with happiness that other partners have expressed willingness to support the program, an indication that the new dawn government has restored confidence by dealing with loopholes that characterized the previous regime.

Meanwhile, Munali Member of Parliament, Hon Mike Mposha commended the Minister and her Ministry for working tirelessly in ensuring that the Social Cash Transfer program is well implemented.

Mr Mposha called for honesty and discipline among CWAC members in handling the program.

EMERGENCY FAMILY BASED FOSTER CARE PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

By ANNIE ZULU

THE Emergency Family Based Foster Care Programme has been launched, with government committing to ensure the welfare of children is significantly uplifted. 

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Ms Beatrice Chilufya Darko says Government will support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of children in need of care. 

Ms Darko has noted that it is Government’s desire to see every child in Zambia grow up in a good environment, where they are able to realise their full potential.

 Permanent Secretary, Ms Beatrice Chilufya Darko

She said this when she represented Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Hon Doreen Mwamba, at the launch of the Emergency Family Based Foster Care Programme in Lusaka.

The programme was launched by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in collaboration with Alliance for Children  Everywhere (ACE) Zambia.

The Permanent Secretary said Zambia was currently transitioning from Institutional Care to Family-Based Foster Care, as it had proved to be one of the best alternative care initiatives for vulnerable children.

According to her, the Implementation of the Emergency Family-Based Foster Care Programme will enable children grow up in normal family setups, where they would be loved and well taken care of. 

“Currently Zambia has more than 6, 500 children in institutional care. Research has shown that institutional care has devastating impacts on children’s lives such as trauma and developmental delays especially when their stay is prolonged.

“The programme  will prevent developmental delays as children will be placed in loving and caring families,” Ms Darko said. 

She also recognised the massive support that her Ministry has continued to receive from partners in child care reforms.

“As a Ministry,  we are proud to be associated  with different partners to generate positive impact in the care and protection of children in need of care, especially the orphans and those children who lack family  based care”she said. 

Meanwhile, ACE Chief Executive Officer Gabriel Walder commended Zambia for the progress made in shifting from institutional care to family-based care.

Mr Walder said the country had become a gold standard for keeping children in families, not only at  regional level, but also globally.

He indicated that his organization would continue  to offer support through sensitization programmes and trainings.

And UNICEF Chief Child Protection Katlin Brasic applauded the Ministry for the progress  made towards the Children`s Code Bill, which also had clauses on emergency foster care.

"This is an amazing achievement for children in Zambia and the ministry who have worked so hard to get it to the stage it is,” Ms Brasic observed.