Mukupa Writes

By Linda Mupemo Climate change is one of the greatest challenges countries are facing world over.  Its adverse effects ranging from droughts, floods, food insecurity and water scarcity affect women and men disproportionately.  Women and girls face a greater challenge of coping with the harsh impact of climate change because of social and cultural factors which make them lack access to information and resources on climate change resilience.  According to a report by the United Nations (UN) Women which was launched at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), climate change may push up to 158 million women and girls into poverty by 2050.  The report further indicates that 232 million women and girls are likely to face food insecurity due to the situation.  This calls for increased programmes whose objective is to build the capacity of women and girls to adapt to changing clima...

By Linda Mupemo L- R Oxfam Zambia Country Representative Yvonne Chibiya, Canada's Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, Chisamba District Administrative Officer Isaac Simwanza and Chisamba District Adolescent Health Focal Point Person Veronica Moonga   In conservative Zambia , it is a challenge for most parents or guardians to discuss matters of sexuality with their children. Considered a taboo in many circles, the topic is off limits for many, resulting in an information gap with regards to sexual health for many adolescents.  Little wonder most vulnerable populations such as adolescents, women and persons with disabilities have had scanty knowledge on their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). This has,  in turn,  led to rampant teen and unplanned pregnancies, poor reproductive health seeking behaviour and sexual violence among other vices.   Martha Phiri, an Adolescent Health Peer Educator at Liteta District Hospital in Chisamba Distric...

By Linda Mupemo Former Milenge District Commissioner Kunda Chibilo The late former Republican President Kenneth Kaunda may be gone but his legacy lives on across Zambia and globally.      Two years after his demise at 97 years old, residents of Milenge District in Luapula Province still have fond memories of the first president of the nation.    For Chief Sokontwe of the Ushi people in Milenge District, Dr. Kaunda's style of leadership which saw the 72 tribes united is one of the things he remembers him for.      Chief Sokontwe recalls that the late Dr. Kaunda ruled the country for 27 years without segregating any citizen on tribal or regional lines.      The Traditional Leader says unity is one of the virtues he has adopted in his leadership and accommodates everyone in his chiefdom.      "I ascended to the Sokontwe royal throne in 2020 and for the first time in the history of Milenge, I a...