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...