LUSAKA, Zambia, 20 November 2009 (Ministry of Finance and National Planning/UNICEF) – As a collaborative effort between the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) and its partners, including UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Ministry of Finance and National Development today launched a detailed analysis of the situation of children and women in Zambia.
"Zambia: Situation Analysis of Children and Women 2008" (SitAn) is based on six component reports, each of which provides a detailed analysis of the situation of children and women in Zambia focusing on livelihoods, epidemics, public services, the protective environment, family, community, and society including the analysis of national statistical data.
Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning, recognized that the preparation and dissemination of this report therefore creates an opportunity for renewed efforts to improve the lives of Zambian children. "However, the true challenge is taking the next step – raising the priority of achieving results for children, forging an effective partnership to intensify efforts, addressing the factors that drive child poverty and deprivation and achieving the rights of all Zambian children to survive, to develop and to enjoy a safe and healthy childhood," he said.
"As Zambia moves into the preparation of the next national development plan, the findings, analysis and recommendations provide the basis for considering how the interests of Zambia's poorest families, children and women can be best represented, and how results can be accelerated in order to meet our commitments and goals for their survival and development," he added.
Speaking at the same function, UNICEF Zambia Representative, Lotta Sylwander added that while many vital steps are identified in the plans and policies of many sector ministries, the situation analysis provides a comprehensive overview, allowing an understanding of the overarching situation of children and women in Zambia today, pointing to areas where closer collaboration can increase efficiency and effectiveness, and highlighting some of the challenges that exist in prioritizing actions for children.
"The situation analysis will therefore serve as an excellent resource for planning, guiding the definition of goals and the identification of actions that will prove most effective in delivering results for Zambia's children and women. Children and women are the heart of Zambian society, the forefront of national development, and the leaders of the future. Whether we focus on poverty reduction, economic development, service delivery or social inclusion, benefits for children and women are integral to our shared objectives, and their participation is essential for success in achieving these goals," she said.
According to the report, high levels of poverty create most of the threats to the survival and development of children and women in Zambia. In 2006, 64% of the total population were poor. There is a distinct contrast in recent poverty trends between the urban and rural populations – most notably, there has been a significant and much welcomed fall in urban poverty rates, reflecting consistent economic growth. In contrast, however, this clear pattern has not yet been reproduced in rural areas, and in 2006, 80% of the rural population was poor.
This synthesis report describes trends and changes in results for children, identifying the factors that drive the on-going deprivation and vulnerability that affect so many and analyzing the achievements and challenges to our efforts to achieve significant improvements.
The preparation of the situation analysis was led by an advisory committee, chaired by the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and a consultation meeting presented the draft reports for inputs from representatives of 45 organisations, including relevant line ministries, civil society organisations, local and international non-governmental organisations, international cooperating partners, and United Nations agencies.
A retreat to consider the synthesis of the five component reports and to identify the recommendations included representatives from the Central Statistics Office; the Ministries of Local Government and Housing; Community Development and Social Services; Education, Finance and National Planning; Labour and Social Security; Sport, Youth and Child Development; the National Food and Nutrition Commission; UNICEF; German Development Cooperation; Irish Aid, Save the Children; and World Vision International.
An introductory section of the report starts by mentioning that all children have a right to survive, to develop to the fullest, and to enjoy a safe, healthy and happy childhood. It also looks at the vulnerabilities facing Zambia's children and women, highlighting the significance and mutual reinforcement of poverty, food insecurity, livelihoods, ill-health and the social environment as drivers of deprivation for children and women. Thereafter, it examines efforts that are in place to address the needs of children and women, describing successes and challenges in basic social service delivery and social protection, and looking at opportunities for further improvement.
The report has been prepared as a collaborative effort between the GRZ; its partners UNICEF, Irish Aid, the UK Department for International Development; and others including the United States Agency for International Development, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Agnes Musunga, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, at +260 977845683, amusunga@hotmail.com or Mr. Patrick Slavin, Chief, Communications, UNICEF Zambia at 260-1-252055, pslavin@unicef.org.
