PRESS STATEMENT ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

The United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is an occasion for governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to raise public awareness of violence against women. This day has been commemorated every November 25th each year since 2000. The Commemoration of this day also marks the beginning of the16 days of activism against gender-based violence which runs until 10 December – the International Human Rights Day.

This year’s theme for the commemoration of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women is being commemorated under the theme: “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now!’’

In reference to this year’s theme, Caritas Zambia takes cognisant of the many challenges women and girls face which have in a long time negatively impacted the lives and the general wellbeing of both women and girls. Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe. On this International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, Caritas Zambia would like to challenge the new dawn government to harness the energy, ideas and leadership of young people to help in ending this pandemic of violence. Only then will we have a more just, peaceful and equitable world and be accountable to act now!

It is evident from the many studies that violence against women and the cruel mistreatment of girls especially through some harmful traditional practices which include child marriages among others are among some of the most seething vices which still plague developing countries like Zambia where cases of gender-based violence against women and girls are still rampant. This is evidenced from the third quarter Zambia Police report on Gender-Based Violence and defilement where; A total of 4,042 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were reported Countrywide during the Third Quarter of 2021. The 2021 Third Quarter Gender-Based Violence disaggregated Data indicates that 1,027 child victims were abused countrywide representing 25.4% of all the victims of Gender-Based Violence. Out of the 1,027children, 850 were girls representing 82.8%while 177 were boys representing 17.2% of all abused child victims respectively. 2,437 women and 578 men were abused countrywide representing 60.3% and 14.3% respectively. In addition, on sexual offences a total of 496 cases of Child defilement translating to 72.4% were recorded, of which 486 were girls and 10 were boys, representing 98% and 2% of all the reported defilement cases. This clearly shows that women and girls are more vulnerable to violence and we as a country should make concerted efforts to stop this surge of violence against women and girls.

Caritas Zambia is disheartened by the continued high levels of violence against women and girls being recorded in an era when countries have female heads of state and also women instituted in major powerful positions and portfolios worldwide, Caritas Zambia, therefore, note with displeasure that the horrific plight of the female is still this high and it is indeed a shame in this 21st century.  It is evident that violence against women and girls is a universal challenge which is a product of unequal gender power relations and discrimination against women and girls, which is exacerbated by conflict and humanitarian crises which include among other things; poverty, economic stress, harmful traditional practices, illiteracy and, at times, the harmful use of alcohol and or other drugs.

Further, Caritas Zambia also notes that some of the measures to contain COVID-19, such as restrictions in movement and staying at home increased exposure for those already in abusive relationships more especially during the first and second wave of COVID19. This further attributed to increase in abuse in those in marriages leading to high levels of divorce, this is evident from the divorce statistics /report of 2020 where over 20,000 cases of divorce were recorded countrywide. This has also been coupled with the increased burdens and stress from loss of livelihoods, combined with fewer opportunities for social contact with informal and formal networks and limited access to services and community support.

Therefore, in order to eliminate violence against women and girls (victims/survivors) and to ensure that they receive the required support and services, we implore that the government must:

It is clear that Violence against women and girls has become a public health emergency as stated by UN Secretary-General - António Guterres, which requires consented efforts from every well meaningful Zambian to act justly now as per the 2021 theme: “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now!’’  We, therefore, challenge Government, cooperating partners, CSOs, religious leaders, and the community at large to redouble the efforts if violence against women and girls is to be eliminated by 2030.

Given to the press on 25th November 2021.

Ms Matanga Munkonze
Project Manager – Child Protection
Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (CTPB) Programme
CARITAS ZAMBIA

CARITAS ZAMBIA PRESS STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF PARTIES (COP26) ON CLIMATE CHANGE HELD IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND FROM 31ST OCTOBER TO 13TH NOVEMBER, 2021

Caritas Zambia participated in the just ended Conference of Parties (COP26) on Climate Change which brought around 200 countries all over the world together. COP26 was the 5th COP since singing the historic Paris Agreement in 2015, and was seen as the first real test of the effectiveness of that climate treaty in averting a climate catastrophe. COP26 was important as the Paris Agreement states; every five years countries must revisit their promises and if possible, increase their ambitions.

Caritas Zambia APPRECIATES the decision made by the conference on a Glasgow Climate Pact requesting parties to consider formulating and publishing updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) before COP27. This we believe will provide countries with strong basis to start implementing the Agreement through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). However, there is urgent need for Parties to the agreement to meaningfully and practically increase their efforts to collectively reduce emissions through accelerated action and implementation of domestic mitigation measures in accordance with Article 4 of the Paris Agreement, and makes a particular call on the biggest historical polluters to increase the 2030 targets as soon as possible ahead of COP27

Download the entire Caritas Zambia Press Statement on Cop26 here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/Caritas-Zambia-Press-Statement-on-Cop26.pdf

1.0. Preamble

The New Dawn government will be presenting its first 2022 National Budget on 29th October 2021. We look forward with hope and high expectations for a national budget that recognizes the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and makes significant allocations to areas that directly have a positive impact on the livelihoods of the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. One of the areas worth noting is social security. Social security is a human right. Article 22 of the UN Charter provides that “everyone has the right to social security and is entitled to the progressive realization of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for their dignity and the free development of their personality”.

Download the entire Pre-budget Speech - Statement for 2022 National Budget here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/Budget-Statement-2021.pdf

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANT TO TRAIN VOLUNTEER TEACHERS UNDER THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS AND DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUNG REFUGEES PROJECT AT MANTAPALA REFUGEE SETTLEMENT

BACKGROUND

Caritas Zambia with support from terre des hommes Deutschland (TDH) in Partnership with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany is implementing a project titled “Sustainable Livelihoods and Durable Solutions for Young Refugees” at the Mantapala Refugee Settlement and Host Communities in Nchelenge District for a period of three (3) years (2021-2023).

The main goal of this project is to contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Livelihoods and Durable Solutions for Young Refugees. Also to ensure that empowered youth in the refugee settlement and host communities use their capacities to pursue viable and sustainable livelihoods and earn a living independently.

Download the entire CALL FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST TO TRAIN VOLUNTEER TEACHERS here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/Mantapala-Teacher-Training-TOR.pdf

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP TRAINING MANUAL ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS/IGA MANAGEMENT

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

Caritas Zambia with support from terre des hommes Deutschland (TDH) in Partnership with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany is implementing a project titled “Sustainable Livelihoods and Durable Solutions for Young Refugees” at the Mantapala Refugee Settlement and Host Communities in Nchelenge District for a period of three (3) years (2021-2023).

The main goal of this project is to contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Livelihoods and Durable Solutions for Young Refugees. Also to ensure that empowered youth in the refugee settlement and host communities use their capacities to pursue viable and sustainable livelihoods and earn a living independently.

Caritas Zambia will therefore engage a consultant to develop and design a training manual.

Download the entire CALL FOR EXPRESSION INTEREST TO TO DEVELOP TRAINING MANUAL ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS/IGA MANAGEMENT here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/Mantapala-Training-Manual-TOR.pdf

Caritas Zambia;

APPRECIATES the commitments shared to the UN food summit by His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema that spoke to the improvement of agriculture extension services; investment in research; regeneration of land and the protection of biodiversity; the regeneration of indigenous species; forest management; and a robust tree planting exercise. Further, we appreciate the fact that the government recognises that the production of quality foods needs will be supported by a robust and sustainable agriculture value chain. Caritas Zambia hopes that this spirit can lead to leaving NO rural farmer, especially small scale, will be left behind in the attaining of food and seed sovereignty in Zambia.

WELCOMES; The proposed actions and hopes that it will lead to the preservation of the ecosystems and pave way for genuine human participation, ensuring that the experience and wisdom of our traditional rural farmers in the country contribute to the national decisions and programmes to improve agriculture;

In order to cement these pronouncements and make sure that they are clear, in the context of our country Zambia, we urge the government to be clear on the following commitments, and our concerns;

• Sustainable Agriculture practices: need to clearly define what this entails in practice.

• Improving crop varieties and livestock: There is a need for clarification on how the promotion of local breeds and varieties will be integrated and maintained especially indigenous seed production.

• Appropriate technology and innovation; there is a need to clearly define what is meant by ‘appropriate’ as the government commits itself to ecological and social justice.

Given to the Press on 28th September 2021

Ms. Musamba Mubanga

Livelihoods and Climate Change Programme Specialist

Download the entire Caritas Zambia Recognition of the Presidential Speech at the UN Food Systems Summit held in New York 23rd to 24th September 2021 here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/CARITAS-ZAMBIA-RECOGNITION-OF-THE-PRESIDENTIAL-SPEECH-AT-THE-UN-FOOD-SYSTEMS-SUMMIT-HELD-IN-NEW-YORK-23RD-TO-24TH-SEPTEMBER-2021.pdf

CARITAS Zambia Bulletin 2021

Download the entire CARITAS Zambia Bulletin 2021 here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/CARITAS-BULLETIN-2021.pdf

CCMG Calls on All Registered Voters in Zambia to Go to the Polls Confident that Citizen Monitors Will Help Safeguard the Vote

10 August 9, 2021

For Immediate Release

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) as part of its comprehensive monitoring of the entire 2021 elections will deploy over 1,600 monitors and mobile supervisors to every province, district and constituency on Election Day. CCMG’s monitors will arrive at polling stations before they open and remain there vigilantly watching the entire process until voting and counting are finished. Their presence at polling stations will help assure that all Zambians feel confident to freely exercise their fundamental right to vote.

THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON COVID-19 IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

The Technical Committee to work on mainstreaming COVID-19 prevention mechanisms into the 2021 General Election Calendar developed the Standard Operating Procedures against COVID-19 in the Electoral Process following a consultative process.

Membership of the Technical Committee is multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary as follows;

Download the entire ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AGAINST COVID-19 here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/ECZ-COVID-19-GUIDELINES.pdf

Understanding the Credibility and Acceptability of the Voters Register

14th April 2021

1. Preamble

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has completed its independent analysis of the voter registration numbers released by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in February 2021. CCMG commends the ECZ for releasing the voter registration figures showing the total number of voters registered, disaggregated by province, district and constituency, as well as gender.

CCMG, using the voting age population (VAP) estimates from the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) that were released in December last year1, analysed the 2021 voter registration figures. The VAP is an estimate that shows how many eligible voters are estimated to reside in a given area. The use of VAP estimates to assess the quality of a voters register in terms of how well it reflects a country’s population is a standard practice of election observation groups worldwide. This is done to contribute to the credibility of the register because it determines how representative the register is of those who are eligible to vote.

Download the entire CCMG Statement on Analysis of the Voter Register here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/CCMG-Statement-on-Analysis-of-the-Voters-Register-14th-April-2021.pdf