The NCRF commends the Government of Zambia for the strides made in implementing child rights in the first half of 2024. We recognize these positive steps and highlight critical areas requiring urgent attention to ensure the safety, well-being, and development of every child in Zambia.
Progress on Child Rights and our concerns:
- Child Protection and Online Safety:
With the growing digital landscape, Zambia has made commendable efforts to protect children from online threats. The government’s initiatives to educate children, parents, and guardians on safe internet practices are a step in the right direction. However, enhanced monitoring and stricter enforcement of laws against online exploitation are needed to safeguard our children in this rapidly evolving digital age. Additionally, we encourage the development of child-friendly digital platforms that can serve as safe spaces for learning and social interaction. - Impact of Droughts, Load-Shedding, and Government Support for Winter Maize Harvesting on Children:
The ongoing droughts have severely affected many regions in Zambia, exacerbating food insecurity and leading to increased malnutrition among children. This situation has also disrupted access to clean water, worsening health and hygiene conditions for many families.
The drought has further contributed to significant load-shedding across the country, directly impacting children’s lives. Extended power outages have disrupted their ability to study at home especially for children in exam classes, particularly in the evenings, limiting access to educational resources, especially in households reliant on electricity for lighting and accessing online learning platforms. Additionally, the lack of electricity has hindered the functioning of healthcare facilities, jeopardizing the delivery of essential health services to children.
In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has initiated the disbursement of Drought Emergency Cash Transfers to mitigate the impacts of the drought. This intervention targets an estimated 8.9 million people, with a projected budget of K8,606,271,202.38 for 12 months. The payments, made bi-monthly, include 1.3 million existing Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries and an additional 726,361 households identified through a rapid assessment. These efforts will trickmle down to children who are under the care of these beneficiaries. We hope that the child headed homes are equally getting a fair share of the social cash transfer programme directly.
The Forum also acknowledges the government’s support towards winter maize harvesting as part of climate change adaptation strategies to cushion the hunger situation in the country as children and women are more vulnerable to shocks induced by droughts. These efforts are crucial in stabilizing food security and ensuring that children have access to adequate food and nutrition throughout the year.
The Forum commends these efforts, as they provide critical support to vulnerable households, ensuring that children and their families do not fall deeper into poverty due to the drought and related challenges like load-shedding. We urge continuous monitoring and timely disbursement to ensure that all affected children receive the necessary assistance. By doing so, the children will be safeguarded from violations of the rights. Additionally, we call on the government to explore alternative energy solutions and manage load-shedding schedules to minimize the impact on children’s education and health.
- Escalating Levels of Child-Led Gangs:
The rise in child-led gangs is a growing concern. This issue underscores the need for comprehensive community-based interventions that address root causes such as poverty induced by the high cost of living, lack of education, and inadequate social support systems. We call upon the government, civil society, and community leaders to collaborate on effective programs that divert children from gang involvement towards constructive activities. Furthermore, we advocate for strengthening the capacity of social services to identify at-risk children early and provide the necessary support to prevent their involvement in gang activities. - Security Concerns: Missing Children:
There has been an alarming increase in reports of children going missing, with some tragically found dead and others alive but traumatized. This situation highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures and rapid response systems to protect children from abduction and related crimes. The Forum calls on the government and law enforcement agencies to prioritize these cases and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. Community awareness programs should also be intensified to educate families and children on safety precautions. - Fight Against Child Marriage:
As Zambia’s President continues his role as a AU Champion against child marriage, we applaud the government’s commitment to this critical issue. Recent campaigns and legislative efforts have contributed to raising awareness and reducing child marriage rates. However, sustained action is needed to eradicate this harmful practice completely. We call for the continued empowerment of girls through education and the strict enforcement of existing laws to protect them from early marriages. We also recognise the need to target the boy child as he is equally susceptible to violations. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of engaging traditional and community leaders in this fight, as their influence is crucial in changing harmful cultural practices. - Education and Child Development:
Access to quality education remains a cornerstone of child rights in Zambia. While progress has been made in improving school enrollment rates, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and the lack of learning materials persist. The Forum urges the government to prioritize investments in the education sector, particularly in rural areas where these challenges are most pronounced. We also commend the government’s continuous support through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which has been instrumental in enhancing educational facilities and resources in various constituencies. - We recognise efforts being made to increase infrastructure for early childhood development and education(ECD/E)
Additionally, we encourage the integration of life skills and child rights education into the curriculum to empower children to make informed decisions about their futures.
- Health and Nutrition:
The health and nutritional status of children is another area that requires attention. The Forum acknowledges the government’s efforts to improve child healthcare services, but more needs to be done to address the high rates of malnutrition, especially in drought-affected areas. We call for increased investment in child nutrition programs, including the expansion of school feeding initiatives and the provision of micronutrient supplements. Furthermore, we urge the government to strengthen the healthcare system’s capacity to respond to the unique needs of children, particularly in underserved communities. - Accountability and Access to Information:
Transparency and accountability are critical in ensuring that child rights initiatives are effectively implemented. The Forum acknowledges the passage of the Access to Information (ATI) Bill, which marks a significant step toward promoting transparency and empowering citizens, including children and youth, to engage in the governance process. We now urge the government to ensure the effective implementation of this law so that it can serve its purpose of enhancing public access to information. This will be vital in holding institutions accountable and ensuring that child rights are upheld across all sectors.
Call for Government Action:
While progress has been made, the National Child Rights Forum (NCRF) urges the Government of Zambia to expedite the implementation of crucial legislative and policy frameworks, particularly the Statutory Instrument (SI) to operationalize the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 which is supposed to establish the National Children’s Coordinating Council (NCCC) and other child protection mechanisms established under the Act. This includes the swift operationalization of diversion programs, which are vital in addressing issues such as juvenile delinquency and ensuring that children in conflict with the law are treated in a manner that respects their rights and dignity.
Conclusion:
The National Child Rights Forum remains committed to working alongside the government, civil society, and international partners to advance the rights of every child in Zambia. As we move forward, it is essential to sustain momentum and ensure that all children in Zambia are protected, nurtured, and given the opportunities they need to thrive.