Official Opening Speech at the ECDE Meeting on 27th December, 2024
Category: Speeches
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SPEECH BY THE ZANEC BOARD CHAIRPERSON MR HENRY KABWE DELIVERED DURING THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS MEDIA AWARDS HELD ON MONDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2023 AT RADISSON BLU HOTEL IN LUSAKA
THE GUEST OF HONOUR MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REPRESENTATIVE
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PRESENT
COOPERATING PARTNERS PRESENT
INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE
EDUCATION BROADCAST SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE
MEDIA INSTITUTE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA ZAMBIA REPRESENTATIVE
POLICY MONITORING RESEARCH CENTER REPRESENTATIVE
REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS MEDIA HOUSES
ZANEC BOARD AND MEMBER ORGANISATIONS PRESENT
OTHER CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS PRESENT,
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,
INVITED GUESTSLADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED
IT IS MY HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO THE ZAMBIA NATIONAL EDUCATION COALITION (ZANEC) MEDIA AWARDS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW YOU VALUE THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN PROMOTING THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE.FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE, ZANEC IS A COALITION OF NON-STATE ACTORS WORKING IN THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS SECTOR. THE ORGANISATION FOCUSES ON RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND MEMBER CAPACITY BUILDING. ZANEC MEMBERS COMPRISE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOS), FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (FBO’S), NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS), TEACHER TRADE UNIONS, AND STUDENT UNIONS. THE MEMBERSHIP OF ZANEC CURRENTLY STANDS AT 93 MEMBER ORGANISATIONS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S MEDIA AWARDS IS “THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN PROMOTING QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION”. IN LINE WITH THE THEME, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE MEDIA PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN AWARENESS RAISING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN ANY GIVEN COUNTRY. THEY PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN CREATING AWARENESS AND ADVOCATING FOR QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR GENDER, ABILITY, AGE, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATUS OR LOCATION. THE MEDIA BEING THE MOUTHPIECE OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED IN CHAMPIONING THE REALISATION OF THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION FOR ALL.
IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THEIR WORK, THE MEDIA SHOULD BE ON TOP OF THINGS IN TERMS OF KNOWING NEW DEVELOPMENT AGENDAS, POLICIES, NATIONAL PLANS, INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND PROTOCOLS. WE ARE OF THE VIEW THAT DOING SO AS HIGHLIGHTED ABOVE WILL ENABLE THE MEDIA TO PROMOTE THE TRUE VALUE OF EDUCATION. IT IS VITAL THAT THE MEDIA IS INNOVATIVE BY ENCOURAGING DECISION MAKERS, COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES AND PARENTS TO INVEST IN EDUCATION SYSTEMS THAT CAN PRODUCE HIGHER LEVEL SKILLS CAPABLE OF BRINGING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE AWARDS IS TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE REPORTING ON THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS SECTOR BY RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, PARTICIPATION AND THE NEED FOR THE PROVISION OF QUALITY EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY.
THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE MEDIA WILL BE MOTIVATED TO REPORT ON EDUCATION-RELATED ADVOCACY ISSUES IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING SUCH AS ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND INCLUSIVE QUALITY EDUCATION AMONG OTHERS.
2. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE MEDIA WILL BE REPORTING OBJECTIVELY ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS SECTOR IN THE COUNTRY.
3. OF COURSE, WE EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE INCREASED VISIBILITY OF ZANEC THROUGH MEDIA REPORTING.
OVERALL, THE AWARDS THAT ZANEC WILL BE PRESENTING TODAY ARE IN THREE MAIN CATEGORIES NAMELY:
CATEGORY 1: SKILLS AND TERTIARY EDUCATION – WITH A BIAS TOWARDS ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING;
CATEGORY 2: YOUTH AND ADULT LITERACY EDUCATION (YALE);
CATEGORY 3: GENDER AND EQUITY.LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
ZANEC TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPRECIATE OUR FUNDING PARTNER NORWEGIAN STUDENTS’ AND ACADEMIC INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE FUND (SAIH) WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE THESE MEDIA AWARDS. INDEED, SAIH HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SUPPORTING ADVOCACY IN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS SINCE 2012 AND THE MEDIA AWARDS IN PARTICULAR SINCE 2014.
FINALLY, ZANEC WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CALL FOR THESE AWARDS.THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
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Welcome remarks read by the ZANEC Board Member and Chairperson for Skills and Tertiary Subsector Committee, Mrs Christine Nabeba Mwasiti Menda during the Advocacy Follow-up engagement meeting on Academic Freedom Best Practices (Learning Through Virtual Platforms) on 19th September 2023
Members of Parliament from the Education, Science and Technology Committee Present
Ministry of Education (MoE) Representative
Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) Representative
Higher Education Authority (HEA) Representative
Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) Representative
Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) Representative
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) Representative
Dean of Students Present
Student Union Leaders from various Universities and Colleges Present
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Present
ZANEC Members, Board and Staff Present
Members of the Press
May I simply say all Protocols observedIt is my honour and privilege to welcome you all our distinguished guests to this engagement meeting on Academic Freedom Best Practices -Learning Through Virtual Platforms.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The continued evolution of education towards virtual platforms presents both opportunities and challenges. In the context of academic freedom, it is imperative to address these shifts to ensure that all students can access, engage with, and benefit from digital learning in higher and tertiary education. It is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic helped accelerate the adoption of virtual learning as well as revealing disparities in access and resources. In Zambia, a considerable number of students are marginalized due to limitations in accessing online platforms, often resulting from financial constraints and a lack of necessary devices or reliable connectivity.According to the study that was conducted by ZANEC in 2022 titled “Assessment of the Status of Education Technology and Digital Literacy Levels Among Teachers, Parents and Learners in Zambia” the learners were disproportionately affected in terms of access to technology, digital device, availability internet connectivity, geographic isolation, and the high cost of internet bundles. As a result, the educational experience of these students is compromised, leading to inequalities in their pursuit of knowledge and future opportunities.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Therefore, this initiative seeks to find solutions to these issues in order to create a conducive learning environment for all students, regardless of their circumstances when it comes to access to online learning.
ZANEC hopes that the platform created by this engagement meeting will facilitate the sharing of experiences, best practices, and innovative solutions among participants.The overall objective of this meeting is to engage key stakeholders on how learning through virtual platforms can enhance academic freedom best practices for all students regardless of their social, economic, cultural, and gender differences.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC is grateful to Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) for the financial support which has made it possible to hold this advocacy follow-up initiative today. The coalition has held a number of advocacy activities to promote a conducive learning environment for students in higher learning institutions by collaborating and partnering with YETT on a project called the Student Academic Freedom Regional Advocacy Program (SAFRAP).I wish all of us present here a fruitful deliberation that will provide solutions to effective and efficient eLearning and academic freedom in our tertiary institutions.
Thank you and God bless you all.
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SPEECH BY THE ZANEC BOARD CHAIRPERSON MR HENRY KABWE DELIVERED AT THE GLOBAL ACTION WEEK FOR EDUCATION NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’ EVENT HELD AT NORTHMEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL ON 2ND JUNE, 2023
The Guest of Honour The Minister of Education Honorable Douglas Syakalima MP
Officials from Government Ministries Present
The Head of Office UNESCO Zambia
Cooperating Partners Present
Representatives of Civil Society Organisations
Learners and Teachers Present
Members of the Press
May I simply say Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
It’s my singular honour to stand before you and deliver this speech on behalf of Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC). For those of you who may not be aware, ZANEC is a Coalition of non-state actors working in the Education and Skills Sector. The organisation is involved in research, advocacy and member capacity building on different aspects of the Education and Skills Sector in Zambia. ZANEC members comprise of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Teacher Trade Unions and Student Unions. The membership of ZANEC currently stands at 93 Member Organizations spread across the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are pleased to lead the 2023 Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) commemoration which started on Monday, 29th May, 2023 and is ending today Friday, 2nd June 2023. The GAWE is very important to us as a Coalition because it is an annual event that encourages millions around the world to reflect on the progress they have made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 4. GAWE provides national and regional education stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on the progress Countries are making towards achieving SDG 4. .
The theme for the 2023 GAWE is “Investing in a just world: Decolonising education financing”. Indeed this theme is progressives as it calls all countries and all partners to take concrete actions to invest more equitably and efficiently in education. This is because taxes are the most stable and reliable sources of domestic revenue available to countries. Taxation is therefore fundamental to state building and forms the foundation of the social contract between the state and citizens. Without taxation, there can be no viable state. We are also hopeful that the revision of the 2013 curriculum which is currently taking place will produce a curriculum that is decolonized and localized to answer to the real needs of the people in Zambia.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Furthermore, Domestic resource mobilization (DRM) through progressive taxation has proven to be the most sustainable and predictable source of revenue for all countries. In line with the theme for the GAWE “Decolonizing Education Financing”, we are calling for tax justice – shifting power to developing countries such as Zambia for a just world. We are aware that tax leakages have deprived Zambia of adequate resources to provide quality public services for all citizens. With the introduction of the “Free Education Policy from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to secondary education, Sustainable financing through domestic resource mobilisation for education is not only critical for the achievement of SDG 4, but can equally help reduce the need for external dependence and influence on our education agenda.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We also take this opportunity to thank government for accelerating the implementation of decentralization by increasing the Constituency Development Funds (CDF). We also commend government for giving the mandate to communities to make decisions on developmental agendas such as the number of schools they want to construct in their communities, among other things. The recruitment of over 30, 000 teachers in 2022 and the planned recruitment of 4,500 teachers this year will represent a landmark achievement towards improving the quality of our education system. Furthermore, the increased funding towards the loans scholarship scheme and reintroduction of meal allowances for students in public universities is also progressive.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC also takes this opportunity to call upon the government through the Ministry of Education and education cooperating partners to urgently:
- Localise education system that is decolonised and meets the real needs of the people in Zambia through Domestic Resource Mobilisation for home-grown solutions and decolonize Financing of Education.
- Enhance advocacy for education to be available and accessible to all through adequate financing.
- Decolonise Education Financing to invest adequate national resources for girls and marginalised children and youth in Zambia. Ensure that girls and women have equal opportunities to fulfil their right to education at all times regardless of the location and apply a gender perspective in the planning, budgeting and implementation.
- It is important for our government to ensure that school buildings are accessible to children with physical disabilities; provide adequate teachers for training and support; flexible curriculum, and provide relevant materials like books and technologies for teaching learners with disabilities.
- It is important to realise that inclusive education systems have the power to amplify the voices of children with disabilities so that they can be heard in decisions that affect their lives. Inclusive education systems can also help build capabilities and capacities of learners with disabilities to participate meaningfully in decision-making and in social, cultural, and economic development.
- We are also hopeful that the revision of the 2013 curriculum which is currently taking place will produce a curriculum that is decolonized and localized to answer to the real needs of the people in Zambia. This is because the research study that ZANEC conducted last (2022) revealed that content and education approaches continue to reflect colonially bequeathed ways of knowing, which do not speak to society’s local needs and problems.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are also concerned that SDG 4 will not be realized by 2030 without a significant and well-targeted increase in domestic financing, particularly in countries like Zambia that are far from achieving quality education for all at all levels. The adherence to the international and regional benchmarks of allocating at least 4 – 6% of Gross Domestic Product and/or at least 15 – 20% of total public expenditure to education is very urgent.
Ladies and Gentlemen
As we come to the close of the GAWE 2023 ZANEC we need to remember that the state cannot use Aid, Debt or PPP to transform education into the type of the education system we all want. Instead, domestic taxes or domestic resource mobilization is the hallmark of decolonization of education financing for developing countries. Therefore, without levying fair taxes, combating tax evasions, reducing illicit financial flows and fighting corruption, decolonising education financing will remain a daunting task.
I Thank You and May God Bless Zambia!
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WELCOME REMARKS READ BY THE ZANEC BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BASIC EDUCATION SUBSECTOR COMMITTEE MR. PAUL ZULU DURING THE MEETING ON NETWORK OF FEMALE STUDENTS HELD ON 23RD MARCH, 2023 IN KABWE
Representative from the Provincial Education Office
Representatives from the District Education Board Secretary
Deans of Students
Student Leaders
ZANEC Members
Civil Society Organisations
Members of the Press
May I simply say Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols observed
It is my singular honor and privilege to welcome you distinguished guests to this meeting on network of female students. Indeed, your presence in this meeting shows the importance you attach to issues of equal representation by both female and male students in leadership positions in higher learning institutions.
For those of you who may not be aware, ZANEC is a Coalition of non-state actors working in the Education and Skills Sector. The organisation is involved in research, advocacy and member capacity building on different aspects of the Education and Skills Sector in Zambia. ZANEC members comprise of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Teacher Trade Unions and Student Unions. The membership of ZANEC currently stands at 91 Member Organisations spread across the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) working with the Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) through its continued advocacy on academic freedom established the Network of Female Students to increase female student participation in student structures. Female students as leaders are critical in advancing gender justice and gender equality in the once male-dominated spaces. ZANEC has been having meetings to encourage female students to participate in leadership positions through the Network of Female Students. The recent meetings were held in Livingstone and at national level in Lusaka last year (2022). Through the network, a number of female students are now able to participate in decision-making positions. For the first time, Copperbelt University has a female President while the University of Zambia, Evelyn Hone College, Lusaka Vocational and Technical College as well as Kabwe Institute of Technology have female Vice Presidents in their student unions. In the 2021 Student Elections, ZANASU had its first female Vice Board Secretary and Treasurer.
However, even with the accomplishments stated above, it is sad to note that after 57 years of independence, the country only has 15% of women as Members of Parliament. Similarly, the entire ZANASU Congress and Executive put together has only two females out of 13 positions, representing 15%. To make matters worse there are only 5 female Cabinet Ministers out of 35 representing 14%. This is despite Zambia being a signatory to various protocols on Gender Equality such as the SADC Gender Protocol that provides for the 50–50 representation of men and women.
There are a number of factors or barriers that have contributed to low female participation in leadership positions such as:
- Sexual or gender-based violence: Sexual harassment, hostile work and learning environments.
- Cultural beliefs: In most cultures men are considered to be more superior than women and discriminatory attitudes and norms are carried on.
- Stereotypes: Because more men have been in leadership for so long, the leadership traits are thought of as masculine and not viewed favourably when exhibited by women.
- Lack of sponsorship or mentors to inspire young women and girls to participate in issues that concern them.
- Lack of education, information and resources.
It is in this vein that ZANEC has continued to support Female Student Network in Zambia whose aim is to inspire female leaders on the importance of holding leadership positions and female student empowerment in student structures.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The aim of this meeting is to sensitize female students on the importance of increased participation in student politics, leadership, and decision-making positions. Strengthen the female network and its coordination in Central Province as well as other parts of the country. Identify measures to strengthen female participation in student unionism. The expected outcomes are:
- A common perspective on the role of female students in leadership.
- Strategies to continue strengthening female participation in student unionism in higher learning institutions.
- An understanding of patriarchal structures and dismantling gender norms.
- Action plan for promoting female participation in higher learning institutions.
This meeting will be characterized by presentations on female students’ active participation in Leadership positions in colleges and universities. And another presentation on Female Network and its purpose. ZANEC is pleased because we are expected to come up with action points that we are encouraged to share in our higher learning institutions that we are representing and ensure more students act upon them to foster female participation.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC is grateful to the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH) for their financial support which has made it possible to hold this meeting today. We further thank them for the rest of the support that they have given the Coalition to promote education through research and advocacy particularly in higher learning institutions in Zambia.
I urge us all to fully participate in the deliberations as your contributions will help promote equal participation of male and female students in leadership positions.
Thank you and God Bless you
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WELCOME REMARKS SPEECH BY THE ZANEC BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRPERSON FOR GENDER AND EQUITY SUBSECTOR COMMITTEE MRS MATILDAH LISITA DURING THE DREAMS LIKE SERVICES LAYERING: CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP IN THE PROVISION OF INJECTATALES, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTIONS ON 16TH AUGUST 2022
KAWAMBWA DISTRICT EDUCATION BOARD SECRETARY REPRESENTATIVE
REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICE
TEACHERS AND LEARNERS PRESENT
ZANEC BOARD AND STAFF PRESENT
ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
IT IS MY SINGULAR HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO THIS TRAINING ON DREAM LIKE SERVICE LAYERING BUILDING CAPACITY OF PEER EDUCATORS THROUGH TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP IN THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTIONS.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE, ZAMBIA NATIONAL EDUCATION COALITION (ZANEC) IS A COALITION OF NON-STATE ACTORS WORKING IN THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS SECTOR. THE ORGANISATION IS INVOLVED IN RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND MEMBER CAPACITY BUILDING ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS SECTOR IN ZAMBIA. ZANEC MEMBERS COMPRISE OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOS), FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS (FBO’S), NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS), TEACHER TRADE UNIONS AND STUDENT UNIONS. THE MEMBERSHIP OF ZANEC CURRENTLY STANDS AT 89 MEMBER ORGANISATIONS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
HIGH TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN ZAMBIA INDICATES THAT ADOLESCENT-FRIENDLY AND RESPONSIVE FAMILY PLANNING (FP) SERVICES ARE LACKING FOR ADOLESCENTS. THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVE AND FP SERVICES AFFECTS THEIR WELL-BEING. TEENAGE PREGNANCY OFTEN LEADS TO SCHOOL DROPOUT, WHICH AFFECTS A GIRL’S FUTURE AND MAY LEAD TO CHILD MARRIAGE AND HEALTH COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY, SUCH AS FISTULA AND UNSAFE ABORTION. UNSAFE ABORTION MAY LEAD TO INJURY, DISABILITY, OR DEATH AMONG WOMEN AND GIRLS.
FURTHERMORE, IT IS SAD TO NOTE THAT THE 2019 EDUCATION STATISTICAL BULLETIN PRODUCED BY THE MINISTRY OF GENERAL EDUCATION ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE 106, 407 GIRLS OUT OF SCHOOL IN ZAMBIA. ADDITIONALLY, 15, 734 GIRLS GOT PREGNANT AND ONLY 8827 REPRESENTING 56% WERE READMITTED IN SCHOOL IN 2019.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
THEREFORE, IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT TODAY WE ARE HOLDING THIS CAPACITY BUILDING OF PEER EDUCATORS IN ISSUES OF FAMILY PLANNING AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS. THIS TRAINING IS FOR 10 DAYS AND WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL ALL BE PRESENT IN THIS PERIOD SO THAT WE ARE ADEQUATELY INFORMED.
INDEED, WE ARE EXPECTANT AS ZANEC THAT YOU WILL BE OUR MESSAGE CARRIERS THEREBY DISSEMINATE AND SHARE THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU WILL GET FROM HERE.
THEREFORE, THE AIM OF THIS CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP IS TO CAPACITY BUILD PEER EDUCATORS ON THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTIONS AMONG LEARNERS AND TEENAGERS IN THE SCHOOLS IN THIS ZONAL AREA IN KAWAMBWA DISTRICT.
THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
- CAPACITY BUILDING OF PEER EDUCATORS IN SRHR IN 5 SCHOOLS IN KAWAMBWA DISTRICT.
- PEER EDUCATORS AWARE OF THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTION IN THE TARGET 5 SCHOOLS.
- PREVENTION OF TEENAGE PREGNANCIES AND UNSAFE ABORTIONS IN THE TARGETED 5 SCHOOLS.
- A TOTAL OF 20 LEARNERS AND TEACHERS CAPACITY BUILT IN THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTION IN THE TARGETED 5 SCHOOLS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
ZANEC ALSO TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK AND APPRECIATE THE CHURCHES HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA (CHAZ) FOR SUPPORTING THE HOLDING OF THIS TRAINING AND MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO EMPOWER LEARNERS AND HEALTH WORKERS ON SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS.
WITH THESE FEW REMARKS I WISH US A SUCCESSFUL CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP AND URGE US TO LISTEN ATTENTIVELY AND FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THE LIBERATIONS. MORE IMPORTANTLY LETS SHARE WITH OUR PEERS WHAT WE WILL LEARN FROM HERE.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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SPECIAL REMARKS SPEECH READ BY ZANEC BOARD SECRETARY MR. ROBERT SHULA DURING THE MEDIA TRAINING WORKSHOP HELD AT URBAN HOTEL IN LUSAKA, ON 4TH AUGUST 2022
The Guest of Honour Mr. Tevor Kaunda – Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and National Planning
PMRC Board and Staff Present
Members of the Press
ZANEC Members, Board and Staff Present
Civil Society Organisations Present
All Protocols observed
It is my singular honour and privilege to present these special remarks speech to you our distinguished guests. I welcome you all to this meeting. For those of you who may not be aware, Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is a Coalition of non-state actors working in the Education and Skills Sector. The organisation is involved in research, advocacy and member capacity building on different aspects of the Education and Skills Sector in Zambia. ZANEC members comprise of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Teacher Trade Unions and Student Unions. The membership of ZANEC currently stands at 89 Member Organisations spread across the country.
ZANEC is pleased that the training is being held in partnership with Policy Monitoring Research Center (PMRC). It is important to mention that the partnership dates from 2018 and 2019 when we successfully co-hosted the media awards. Indeed, two are better than one, the efforts put together have made it possible to have this training. As ZANEC are strong advocates of partnerships. In this workshop we are solidifying our partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which you the media practitioners will witness.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC values the role the media plays in our society and thus our convening this training in line with the theme “The Role of Media in the Actualisation of the Vision 2030”. We are of the view that media is key in ensuring that the vision of the country is achieved through information dissemination. Therefore, it is important for you the media to understand the different aspects of development as well as the education sector so that you are able to give people the right information and also report from an informed perspective.
As ZANEC we are of the firm belief that the media is a key partner in development as they disseminate information to the public and decision makers. Therefore, media can play an important role in contributing to national development by creating awareness on the national development plans. Further media also creates awareness on the importance of education to the public. Additionally, the media is a key advocate in ensuring that the government and decision makers make favorable policies as well as increasing financing to the Education and Skills as well as other development sectors.
As we are all aware education is key to national development and safe guards everyone’s future, therefore, it should be noted that education is an important sector that media needs to raise awareness on. This is because for national development to be fostered there is need for educated and skilled labour which is human capital.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC would like to thank Norwegian Students and Academic International Assistance Fund (SALH) for the financial support that has made it possible to hold this training and other many advocacy activities related to academic freedom in higher institutions.
I urge you all to participate fully in the deliberations of this meeting and share and disseminate widely the information and knowledge you will get from this workshop.
I thank you all and God bless
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WELCOME REMARKS READ BY THE ZANEC VICE BOARD SECRETARY, MR. CHISANGA MUMBA DURING THE SENSITISATION MEETING WITH FEMALE STUDENTS ON FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP HELD ON 14TH JULY, 2022 IN LIVINGSTONE
District Education Board Secretary
Deans of Students Present
Student Leaders Present
Civil Society Organisations Present
Members of the Press
May I simply say Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols observed
It is my honor and privilege to welcome you distinguished guests to this sensitisation meeting with female students on female participation in the Leadership. Your presence in this meeting shows the importance you attach to issues of equal participation in leadership positions by both female and male students in higher learning institutions.
For those of you who may not be aware, ZANEC is a Coalition of non-state actors working in the Education and Skills Sector. The organisation is involved in research, advocacy and member capacity building on different aspects of the Education and Skills Sector in Zambia. ZANEC members comprise of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Teacher Trade Unions and Student Unions. The membership of ZANEC currently stands at 89 Member Organisations spread across the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Through ZANEC continued advocacy on academic freedom in higher learning institutions, it has come to our attention that very few female students participate in union leadership. At national level the low representation of the female gender can be seen from the last general elections that Zambia had on 12th August 2021, were only 15% of women Parliamentarians were elected. Similarly, only 4 females aspired to stand for elections during the ZANASU election held in July 2021, out of which 2 were elected as Deputy Secretary General and Gender Secretary, meaning the entire ZANASU Congress and Executive put together has only two females out of 13 positions, representing 15%. It is important to note that Zambia is part of the SADC Gender Protocol that indicates that there should be 50/50 representation of men and women in decision making positions. Sadly, for Zambia this is not the case. After 57 years of independence the country only has 15% of women as Members of Parliament.
The major cause of low representation of women in Zambia is the patriarchal views on traditional gender roles are still a reality and restrict women’s participation leadership positions. The societal conventions regarding gender and leadership traditionally exclude women, and top leadership is viewed as a masculine domain. For example, common saying “behind every successful man is a woman”, depict the roles and positions that have been assigned to both gender parties and these should not be entertained if Zambia is to attain gender equality and equity in decision making positions. The other factor to low participation of women has been low education and literacy levels among women compared to men.
It is in this vein that ZANEC has continued to support Female Student Network in Zambia whose aim is to inspire female leaders on the importance of holding leadership positions and female student empowerment in student structures.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The aim of this meeting is to encourage female students to take up leadership positions. Furthermore, to create appreciation by female students on the importance of representing their own interests through unionism. And to provide leadership mentorship and seeking solutions to challenges inhibiting the effective participation of females in unionism. The expected outcomes are:
- Strengthen the female network and its coordination in Southern Province as well as other parts of the country.
- Motivating the female students to take up leadership positions in their various institutions of higher learning.
- Identify measures to strengthen female participation in student unionism.
This meeting will be characterized by presentations on female participation in Leadership and the tactics to acquire leadership positions. And another presentation on Female Network and its purpose. ZANEC is pleased because we are expected to come up with action points that we are encouraged to share in our higher learning institutions that we are representing and act upon them to foster female participation.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC is grateful to the Norwegian Student and Academic International Assistance (SAIH) for the financial support which has made it possible to hold this sensitisation meeting today. We further thank them for many other funding supports that they have given the Coalition to promote education through research and advocacy particularly in higher learning institutions in Zambia.
With these few remarks, I therefore, urge all of us that are present in this meeting to participate actively as your contributions will make a big difference in enhancing women’s participation in leadership positions.
Thank you and God Bless you