CHILDREN'S CODE BILL TO BE TABLED IN NEXT SITTING OF PARLIAMENT, SAYS MINISTE

By ANNIE ZULU

Community and Social Services Minister  Honourable Doreen Mwamba has assured that the Children's Code Bill will be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament.

Ms Mwamba said Government is committed to the internal legislation process focusing on the enactment of the Bill.

She said the Bill is important, as it will ensure that Zambia has a protective environment for every child.

The Minister said this when she officiated at the launch of the Child Fund Zambia 2022-2026 Country Strategic Plan in Lusaka.

"If not for some delays by stakeholders with submissions, the Bill would have been tabled in Parliament by now, but I can assure you that it will be brought to Parliament in the next sitting this year," Ms Mwamba said.

Community and Social Services Minister   Doreen Mwamba

She also indicated that Government is currently reviewing the National Social Protection Policy of 2014 which is aimed at securing the lives of all vulnerable groups, including children with disabilities.

"This demonstrates political will and commitment from the Government in ensuring that all families are protected and able to provide for their children, she said.

And Ms Mwamba has applauded Child Fund Zambia for its works around children issues in the country.

She said the launch of the strategic plan was an indicator of the organization's commitment to improving the welfare of children in Zambia.

She noted that there are a lot of challenges affecting children in Zambia, which could can not be addressed by Government alone.

"For this reason, Government will endeavour to involve the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure the well being and protection of children through public private partnerships," she said.

Meanwhile Child Fund Country Director Simba Machingaidze said through the strategic plan, the organization will raise 40 Million US dollars to implement programs in the area of health, education, skills and safety of over 1.2 million children, youth and their families.

Mr Machingaidze also indicated that the organization will further focus on increasing the resilience of vulnerable households, children and youth to the negative effects of disaster and climate change.

At the same event, a former sponsored child by Child Fund Zambia Martin Ngombe who is now a University graduate thanked the organization for making his dream of acquiring education come true.

"Dreams do come true, I was just a little boy eh was uncertain about the future, because of the environment I grew up in, but Child Fund came in and supported me. I am now a graduate of Economics and Demography from the University of Zambia," he said.

 

CIRCUMSTANTIAL CHILDREN MATTERS, SAYS PS

 

By ANNIE ZULU

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Beatrice Chilufya Darko has assured that Government will ensure that the welfare and protection of circumstantial children is prioritized.

Ms. Darko said Government has put in place a guidance document to help in managing cases for circumstantial children in the Zambia.

The Permanent Secretary said this when a delegation from Mother of Millions Foundation, who are working on improving the welfare of incarcerated women and circumstantial children paid a courtesy call on her.

“Circumstantial children are a unique set of vulnerable children and as such this Ministry has keen interest in their welfare. We have the National Child Policy and these children are covered in that policy under the provision of children in need, we will ensure that this policy is implemented,” Ms Darko said.

And Mother of Millions Foundation Founder and Chief Executive Officer Faith Kalungia expressed gratitude that Government was looking into the welfare of circumstantial children.

Ms Kalungia highlighted some of the challenges that circumstantial children were facing such as lack of access to education and health services among others.

“These children live like prisoners, yet their parents are the ones who are prisoners. They are so vulnerable and it is really a sad sight, they do not have access to some of the basic needs like other children,” she said.

2022 FIRST QUARTER GENDER BASED VIOLENCE STATISTICS

During the first quarter of 2022, 6,915 cases of Gender Based Violence were reported Countrywide compared to 4,254 recorded in the first quarter of 2021 showing an increase of 2,661 cases translating to a 62.5%.From the total number of 6,915 reports recorded 4,740 were Criminal cases while 2,175 were non-criminal cases translating to 68.5% and 31.5% respectively.

 

The First quarter of 2022 Gender Victim Disaggregated Data indicates that 1,769 child victims were abused countrywide representing 25.6% of which  1,284 were girls representing 72.6% while 485 were boys representing 27.4% while  ,4,058 women and 1,088 men were abused  representing 58.7% and 15.7% respectively.

 

Gender vulnerability, a total number of 5,342 were females representing 77.3% while 1,573   were males representing 77.3% and 22.7%.

 

During the period under review, Victim Support unit counselled a total number of 5,724 or 82.8% of which 4,053 or 70.8% counselled were under criminal cases while 1,671 or 29.2% were counselled under the non-criminal offences. Out of the 4,053 criminal cases reported, 2,579 or 63.6% were victims comprising of 384 or 14.9% men, 1,456 or 56.5% `women, 150 or 5.8% boys and 589 or 22.8% girls. 1,474 or 36.4% were offenders in which 231 or 15.7%were men, 792 or 53.7% women, 94 or 6.4% boys and 357or 24.2% girls.

 

Under non –criminal offences a total number of 1,671 were counselled in which   918 or 55% were women, 367 or 22% were men and 193 or 11.5% were boys and girls respectively.

 

Under Physical Abuse, a total number of 2,641 cases were recorded translating to 55.7% compared to 2,403 cases recorded in 2021 showing an increase by 238 cases or 9.9% increase.

 

1,071 Economic Abuse cases were recorded translating to 22.6% compared to 932   recorded in 2021 showing increase by 139 cases or 14.9% increase.  764 Sexual Abuses cases were recorded translating to 16.1% compared to 713 cases recorded in 2021showing an increase by 51 cases or 7.2% while 259 were Emotional Abuse cases translating to 5.5% compared to 201 cases recorded in 2021 showing an increase by 58 cases or 28.9%.

 

Lusaka Province recorded the highest GBV cases with 1,108 translating to 23.4%, followed by Copperbelt Province with 662 cases translating to 13.9% while Tazara Division recorded the lowest GBV cases with 44 cases translating to 0.9%  and  Statistics from the rest of the Provinces were  as follows; Central Province  had 611 cases translating to 12.9%, Eastern Province 532 translating to 11.2%, Western Province 511 cases translating to 10.8%, North-Western Province 41 cases translating to 8.7%, Southern Province 311 cases translating to 6.6%, Mchinga Province 263 cases translating to 5.5%, Northern Province 141cases translating to 3%, Airport Division 90   cases translating to 1.9% and Luapula  Province 56 cases translating to 1.2%.

 

During this period under review, 764 Sexual offenses were recorded representing 16.1% of the cases reported compared to 713 cases reported in 2021 showing an increase by 51 cases translating to 7.2%. Out of these 764 cases, 567 victims were girls translating to 74.2%, 184 victims were women translating to 24.1%, 10 victims were boys translating to 1.3%, whilst 03 victims were men translating to 0.4%.

 

540 cases of Child defilement were recorded translating to 70.7%

Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases with 145 cases translating to 26.9%  followed by  Eastern Province with  92 cases translating to 17 %, Southern Province had 89 cases translating to 16.5%, Central Province 60  translating to 11.1%, Copperbelt and North-Western Provinces recorded 45 cases each translating to 8.3%, Northern and Western province recorded 22 cases each representing 4.1%  while Mchinga Province recorded 15 translating to 2.8%,  Luapula Province recorded 05 representing 0.9%, Airport and Tazara Division didn't record any cases.

 

Under Sexual Offences; 106 rape cases were recorded while 20 cases of attempted rape were recorded during the period under review.  49 cases of indecent Assault were recorded  of which 31 victims were women, 15 girls one man and two were boys also  20 cases of incest were recorded in which four victims were girls and 16  were women.

 

Under Physical Abuse,we recorded 2,641 cases translating to 55.7%, 460 victims were men translating to 17.4%, 1,925 cases were women translating to 72.9% ,112 were girls translating to 4.2%, 144 were boys translating to 5.5% compared to  2,403 cases recorded in 2021 first Quarter showing an increase by 238 cases translating to 9.9% increase.

 

Out of 2,641 Physical Abuse cases reported 2,305 were Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm representing 87.3%, 1,878 were women translating to 81.5% while 427 were men translating to 18.5%.

 

Four cases of Grievously Bodily Harm (G.B.H) were recorded involving 02 men and 02 women translating to 50%. 19 Murder cases were recorded translating to 0.7% compared to 05 cases recorded in the 2021 showing an increase by 14 translating to 73.7%.

 

Out of 19 cases of murder recorded, men and women recorded 09 victims each translating to 47.4% while 01 victim was a boy translating to 5.2%. 02 cases of attempted murder were recorded comprising of women only compared of one case recorded in 2021 showing an increase by 01 case translating to 50% increase.  2, 305 cases of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm cases  have been recorded compared to 2,031 cases recorded in 2021 showing an increase by 274 cases translating to 13.5% increase.

 

Lusaka province recorded 526 cases of Assault OABH country wide translating to 22.8%, Central Province recorded 389 cases translating to 16.9%, Eastern Province recorded 272 translating 11.8%, Western Province recorded 265 representing 11.5%, and North-Western Province 45 cases representing 10.6%, Mchinga Province recorded 179 representing 7.8%.

 

Southern Province recorded 163 cases representing 7.1%, Copper belt Province recorded 121 cases representing 5.2%, Northern Province recorded 74 cases translating to 3.2%, Tazara had 42 cases representing 1.8%, Luapula Province recorded 23 cases at 1%, and Airport recorded 06 cases at 0.3%.

 

Concerning Human Trafficking cases ,Police recorded three  which  comprised of two girls translating to 66.7% and one adult  translating to 33.3% compared  to one case recorded in  2021  showing an increase  by two  translating to 66.7%.

 

Under Economic Abuse, 1,071 cases were recorded translating to 22.6%,  464 cases of Failing to Provide Necessaries of life and 455 cases of Neglecting to Provide Necessaries were recorded translating to 43.3% and 42.5%.

 

Further, under Emotional or Psychological abuse, 259 cases were recorded translating to 5.5%. 102 cases of the use of Insulting language was recorded, 19 men, 81 women and two boys. A total of 62 cases of threatening Violence were recorded in which 17 men and 45 women were involved translating to 27.4% and 72.6% respectively.

 

From the 4,740 criminal GBV cases reported ,989 cases representing 20.9% were taken to court  and 142 convictions have been secured  translating to 14.4%,  four  acquittals or 0.4%, 33 withdrawals or 3.3% and 810 or 81.9% are pending cases in the courts of law .

 

Rae Hamoonga

ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE

SPOKESPERSON

ADOPT TOBACCO CONTROL BILL NOW- GOVERNMENT URGED

By ANNIE ZULU

Breathe-Life Zambia has joined the Civil Consortium on Tobacco Control in Zambia in urging Government to quicken the adoption of the Tobacco Control Bill to save lives.

The organisation`s Executive Director Chisanga Mfula said once the Bill is passed, the harmful impact of tobacco and cigarette smoke on public health will be reduced.

In a statement made available  to Zambian Feminine Pages, Mr Mfula noted that tobacco is deadly in any form and threatens the lung health of everyone exposed to it.

“Tobacco smoke is the single biggest public health threat the world is currently facing. It is estimated that there are 1.1 billion smokers worldwide, and around 8 million people are killed by tobacco smoke each year globally.

“Among these deaths, more than 7 million are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke,”

“The millions of deaths caused by tobacco-related respiratory disease are distressing, but even more distressing is the tremendous suffering caused by these illnesses, the debilitating effects of which affect the quality of life of people of all ages, in all regions of the globe,” he said.

CHILD LABOUR WORRIES GOVERMENT

 By ANNIE ZULU

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Honourable Doreen Mwamba says her Ministry is engaging with other line Ministries and stakeholders to immediately address the issue of Child Labour, especially in the mining sector.

Ms. Mwamba has expressed concern that in the last years, Zambia has seen an increase in the number of children engaging in mining activities.

She said the issue needs urgent attention, stressing that if not addressed in good time, it would be difficult to contain the situation in future.

She has also observed that despite the introduction of free education by the New Dawn Government, some children still preferred engaging in mining works than going to school because of the little monies they were earning.

The Minister said this when a delegation from Pact paid a courtesy call on her at her office.

“This issue is a time bomb and my Ministry has a huge task. We will sit with our colleagues in the Ministries of Labour, Local Government, Education and Health, also stakeholders to see how we can address the issue.

“There is need for quick intervention, because such activities are harmful to the children and their health. Those children also need to be in schools, because what will happen if the mining activities are no longer there, they will turn to criminal activities,” Ms Mwamba said.

Meanwhile, the Minister said Government was on the outlook for partnerships that are aimed at improving the welfare of children.

She said she was optimistic that the partnership between her Ministry and Pact would yield good result in terms of addressing issues affecting vulnerable children.

And Pact Chief Executive Officer Caroline Anshy assured that her organization would work closely with the Ministry in ensuring that its programs have impact on children, especially on programs aimed at reducing new HIV infections among children.

Ms Anshy also commended the Ministry for various programs that it was implementing.

CHILDREN DONT BELONG IN THE STREETS- HON MWAMBA

By ANNIE ZULU

Government has expressed concern on the continued rising numbers of street kids in the country.

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Honourable Doreen Mwamba however says frantic efforts are been done to bring the situation under control.

The Minister said this when a delegation from the Southern Africa Business Development Forum (SABDF) who are currently in the country paid a courtesy call on her at her office.

Ms Mwamba said her Ministry is open to partnerships which are aimed at addressing social challenges in the country and cited the rising number of street kids as requiring urgent attention.

She said Government is working long term solutions to completely remove all street kids from the streets.

And SABDF Executive Director, Mr  Jabu Mabobo assured that his organisation will work with the Ministry in coming up with business initiatives especially in the agricultural sector that will improve the well-being of communities.

Mr Mabobo stressed the need for communities to shift from being dependant on Government to being independent and able to sustain their families

JOURNALISM IS FASCINATING AND REWARDING – BUUMBA CHIMBULU

 

By ANNIE ZULU

Buumba Chimbulu recently scooped the Media Award at the 2022 Stanbic Anakazi Banking Recognition Awards, which was set up back in 2014 to celebrate and recognise outstanding women who excel and have made a positive impact in various fields such as Media, Agriculture, ICT, Sports, Education, Mining and many more.

Buumba is currently a  Business Reporter for one of Zambia’s biggest private-owned Newspapers-  Daily Nation, where she reports on business and economic stories of  local, African  and global interest  in the country.

She has covered intriguing business stories,  top business events, and has interviewed several high profile personalities in the business circles. 

With such  track records of success in the business beat, there is definitely no doubt  that she deserved the award  and even many more.

In this exclusive interview with Zambian Feminine  Pages, Buumba lets us into her world as she shares her experience in business reporting, excitements about the award and more.

Buumba after receiving her Award at the Stanbic Anakazi Banking Recognition Awards

WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE BUSINESS AS A BEAT?

I find it a bit funny how I got to start business reporting. When I joined Daily Zambia in 2015, I applied as a news reporter but I was told the Managing Director had suggested that I should take up the business beat due to my background of working with some business associations. And so, that is how I found myself taking up the business beat. I always joke that I did not choose the business beat, it instead chose me.

AS A BUSINESS REPORTER, CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORKING DAY? WHAT KIND OF HOURS DO YOU PUT IN?

On certain days, my day starts as early as 06:00hrs. There are some people in the corporate world who would prefer meeting up with you before 07:00hrs for a one-on one interview. There are other corporate organisation who believe in engaging with other stakeholders before 07:00hrs so, if they have a function and they have requested for coverage, you are expected to be there before 07:00hrs.

It is quite difficult to state the specific hours I put in because there are some business engagements which starts at 18:00hrs and finish late.

ARE YOU THE FIRST JOURNALIST IN YOUR FAMILY?

Yes, I am. My siblings have taken up other professions such as Banking and Finance as well as Accounts.

OF THE BUSINESS STORIES YOU’VE REPORTED, WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE?

I have been able to work on investigative stories. I think one which stands out is how a certain officer from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) was cunning taxpayers who were applying for Value Added Tax (VAT) refund. The officer was using the name of the then Commissioner General. I was able to gather evidence and that story made sparked some reactions from stakeholders.

HOW COMPETITIVE IS THE BUSINESS REPORTING BEAT? MORE SO FOR WOMEN? HOW DID YOU MAKE YOURSELF STAND OUT?

This is a very interesting beat and there is so much to learn. Business reporting is not so much common, others find It boring while others find it difficult because of the certain terms used when reporting. It took me years and years to be able to understand what goes on the beat and which specific stakeholders to work with and build trust. The corporate world is not easily convinced and business sources will take forever to trust you and freely give you the information you are looking for.

The business beat in Zambia is mostly handled by women and this makes it easier for us to work together and connect each other to news sources. I honestly do not know how I have made myself to stand out because all I do is work, work and work. All in all, I think informative business stories have helped me to stand out.

 

HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET BUSINESS NEWS TIPS FROM THE PUBLIC USING SOCIAL MEDIA? ANY STAND OUT AS HAVING LED TO GREAT STORIES?

Tips from social media, not so much, but I have gotten some from there before. I usually get tips from organisations themselves.

 

HOW DO YOU FEEL SCOOPING THE 2022 STANBIC BANK ANAKAZI WOMEN IN MEDIA AWARD?

 This is amazing! I never saw it coming. I just cannot describe the feeling. What makes it more special is that it is a recognition award. Such awards challenge me do work even more and leave me speechless. This is the second recognition award I have received so far from the one I was awarded in 2019 by the Economic Association of Zambia as the Most Supporting Journalist of the Year. I have won other awards, but I have had to apply, very different from the recognition awards.

WHAT OTHER AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED FOR YOUR WORK?

On two occasions, I have won a third prize in print media for best reporting on the Agriculture and commercial Show. I have also scooped the second best print media award from the Agriculture and commercial Show.

ANY HOBBIES OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF YOUR JOB?

I enjoy boat cruising and game viewing. I also enjoy going out for movies. That helps me to refresh my mind from a busy week.

 

ADVICE TO BUDDING BUSINESS JOURNALISTS?

The power of a pen is mightier than a sword. This describes the power which journalists have. There is a reason the profession is called the fourth estate. It is a profession where you not only care for yourself, but you are there for the large masses. Journalism is a craft, a profession where your proficiency and command over language will make you a stunning journalist.

It is therefore important to be informed about what is happening around you – read, watch the news (local and international) and even on social media. The learning process is not a walk in the park. New Journalists have a lot to learn before becoming true professionals.

As a profession, journalism is truly fascinating and rewarding, you get to meet hundreds of people from a common man to presidents, ministers, sports stars, and movie stars and learn new things about people and get familiar with a subject or field you know little about. So believe in yourself that you will turn out to be a superb journalist for the people and in the larger interests of society.

 

LIFE ADVICE IN GENERAL?

In life you are going to hear a lot of advice; some that you want and some that you don’t. Some of it will inspire you, and some may make you rethink everything you know. So I think the best advice is having the courage to live a life true to yourself, not the life others expect of you. There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.

 

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

All I can say is thank you for this opportunity to highlight my success. Thank you for your interest.