Mukupa Writes

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 Zambia Union of All Persons Living With  Disabilities President Pascal Mulenga Like most young ladies, Malumbo Mwape dreamed of becoming a mother in her future life.    Unfortunately, Ms Mwape had polio when she was barely learning how to walk at two years old. The illness crippled her limbs leaving her with the option of only using a wheelchair for mobility.     As fate would have it, Ms Mwape fell pregnant outside wedlock when she was 20 years old.  She recalls how the situation angered and worried her parents at the same time.    "I grew up being aided in doing most things. But a pregnancy was a different story all together. I had to carry my baby in my womb regardless of my physical state," she laments.    Ms Mwape, now 27 years old, says health care providers termed her pregnancy as ‘high risk’ hence she needed frequent medical check-ups in addition to the mandatory antenatal visits....

By Linda Mupemo Picture by Dreams Time Milenge District in Luapula Province has recorded an increase in the number of men reporting Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases to law enforcement agencies.     Milenge District One Stop Centre Coordinator Esnart Zgambo disclosed that 24 men reported their partners to the centre for SGBV related cases in July, 2022.    ZANIS reports that Ms. Zgambo said this during the Milenge One Stop Centre Stakeholders meeting which was held at Milenge Resource Centre.   Ms. Zgambo stated that the One Stop Centre recorded a total of 56 SGBV cases in the period under review adding that 32 women were reported to the centre in the same period.      "This is a positive with regards to men opening up on abuse from their partners. The turn out from men used to be low previously. But with more sensitisation, more men are beginning to seek help on SGBV,” she said.      Ms. Zgambo, ...