justinebwalya

Save the Children in Zambia, leveraging on evidence from the compendium of Case Studies on the Impact of Mining at the Black Mountain on Children in Kitwe, has continued to mobilise key stakeholders in the fight against child labour in mining. Today, stakeholders from the Copperbelt province, including government representatives from the Ministries of Mines, Labour and Social Security, Education, and Community Development and Social Services, local authorities, mining companies, CSOs, and the media, met to discuss renewed commitments for collaboration and more effective action against child labour in mining. “It is our moral obligation to safeguard their rights and ensure their protection from harm,” echoed Kitwe District Commissioner, Lawrence Mwanza. “The plight of children engaged in hazardous labour…is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action,” said Save the Children Country Director, Jo Musonda. This work is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland. Suomen suurlähetystö Lusaka – Embassy of Finland Lusaka #EndChildLabour #ZeroChildrenInMining #childprotection

Save the Children, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the District Council,the Victim Support Unit of the Zambia Police, and the Lucy Grand Foundation has taken a proactive step in addressing the alarming teenage pregnancy and child marriages in petauke district. The village of Nyati, within the district, has been identified as one of the hotspots and is being used for dialogue meetings aimed at combating these violations. Petauke district currently ranks as the second-highest in terms of teenage pregnancies within Eastern Province according to government reports, signaling an urgent need for intervention. The ongoing dialogue meetings serve as a platform for engaging with community leaders, parents, children, adolescents and various community members, to come together and act to protect the children in their community. “Educating our children should be priority and not marrying them off” Ruth Grand – Lucy Grand Foundation Founder “Ensure that you report every case of child marriage to the Victim Support Unit at the police” Mr Sitwala- Victim support Unit “Marrying off a child has health implications on her which may even be as serious as death especially when giving birth” Doreen Kangombe – Ministry of Health #EndChildmarriages #Endteenpregnancies #childrenmustsurvivelearnbeprotected Lucy Grand Foundation Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Zambia Ministry of Health Zambia of

Sinazongwe Ward Councillor Gift Siasiya says the effects of Climate Change such as the changes in weather patterns are leading to the drought experienced by the District during the 2023 -2024 farming season. He stated that due to the effects, temperatures have increased as well as water insecurities thus putting the lives of people and other living things at risk. Siasiya further said that the Government is aware of the diverse effects arising from Climate Change and, hence has directed all local authorities to ensure Cleanups are done as well as tree planting in their respective Districts. He urged all communities, Schools Churches and other Key Stakeholders to pay close attention to some activities that cause Climate Change to work together with the Council and identify interventions. Siasiya encouraged attendants to plant trees as they have huge benefits, saying “A community grows better when old men and women plant trees in whose shade they never sit”. The Government, through Sinazongwe District Environmental Planner, Mumba Pupwe, has paid tribute to Environment Africa, a dedicated Non-Governmental Organisation to make the voices of Children and Youths be heard on issues surrounding their rights and Climate Change. The Organisation currently operating in Sinazongwe District through its Project titled “Children and Youth Climate Resilience in Zambia” yesterday participated in the Fridays for Future Clean up activity which was commemorated in Sinazongwe Ward of Sinazongwe District at Sinazongwe Primary and Day Secondary School. The Commemoration which was organised by the Sinazongwe Town Council and funded by Environment Africa was graced by the Ward Councillor Gift Siasiya who was the Guest of Honour. The Commemoration started with the cleaning up of the School and Malozilozi Market surrounding where Siasiya, The School Head Teacher, Top officers from the Council and Health Departments, Teachers from the five Project Schools and pupils all joined hands in cleaning the exercise. Other activities that characterised the event include the presentations of poems, songs, traditional dance and tree planting. The Council also gave a talk on the importance of keeping our environment clean which was followed by a talk on the effects of Climate Change and the importance of planting trees by the District Focal Point Person for Chongololo and Chipembele Conservation Clubs of Zambia, Daniel Muzoka. For more details, tune in to Byta FM 90.3/100.3/101.9 or http://radio.garden/listen/byta-fm-zambia/YsDAFNNN