2016 was an eventful year for Zambia. During this period, the socio-economic and political context significantly changed. Politics continued negatively affecting governance, respect of human rights and rule of law and media freedoms. As a result, livelihoods of the poor have become difficult. Prices of goods and services continued to significantly rise.
Despite all this, Caritas Zambia still strived to play its part working towards promoting social justice. Caritas Zambia supported the production and circulation of a Pastoral statement on the state of the Nation covering social, economic, environment and political situation of the country. The statement called for peace and tolerance among all Zambians especially during the August, 2016 elections, amidst increasing social tension and cost of living. The statement was covered in both state and private media and was well received by all people of good will.
As we forge ahead in 2017, Caritas Zambia continues to advocate for the protection of social justice and peace. To make the state transparent, accountable and responsive to the people’s needs especially the poor, to ensure we contribute to a Zambian society which upholds tenets of democracy, contribute towards promoting equitable access to food and safe water for the poor and vulnerable, exercise our prophetic role as part of the Church that influences the state to fulfill its responsibility to eradicate poverty, respect human rights and uphold the rule of law for all.
We look forward to collaborate with you and hope that you find this newsletter enlightening. We hope to have your contribution in form of feedback, articles and pictures in our next edition.
Editor.
Find the entire 2017, 1st Quarter Bulletin here: http://caritaszambia.org/index.php/publications/quarterly-bulletin/file/114-caritas-zambia-2017-1st-quarter-bulletin
