Vowaza.Zambia

18/04/2026

Excerpt of VOWAZA Statement at

"We call on the Committee to urge the Government of 🇿🇲 to remove the mandatory Parental consent for adolescents as a requirement to access health services.

We also call upon the Committee to urge the Government of Zambia to develop a stand-alone adolescent reproductive health policy."

Excerpt of VOWAZA Statement at

15/04/2026

On-going… VOWAZA is in Maseru, Lesotho for the CSO Forum ahead of the 47th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Under the theme “Inclusion for Every Child: Building Equitable Futures Across Africa,” and this will focus on The African Union's (AU) theme for 2026 is Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063, and its impact on children’s rights.

This forum brings together civil society leaders, policymakers, and development practitioners from across Africa to shape regional priorities, share evidence-based solutions, and strengthen collective action in safeguarding children's rights and welfare on the continent.

26/03/2026

At the ongoing National Adolescent Health Technical Working Group Annual Review and Planning Meeting convened by the Ministry of Health Zambia in collaboration with its co-operating partners through the Adolescent Health Technical Working Group (ADH-TWG), we are actively engaging with multistakeholders to discuss issues affecting adolescents, the progress being made in the implementation of the Adolescent Health Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and plan for 2026 implementation year.

05/03/2026

Chipata – Eastern Province

Today VOWAZA in collaboration with the Zambia National Traditional Counselors (ZNTCA) held another engagement meeting at Protea Hotel in Chipata with the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) from Chadiza, Mambwe and Kasenangwe Districts of Eastern Province to generate current information on the status of Accountability Mechanisms with the DHMTs, and extent to which recommendations and follow up advocacy have been influenced.

The purpose of the meeting was:
• To share and document progress made in the areas of availability of Youth Friendly services including spaces, commodity stock out and age of consent to accessing SRHR services.
• To share progress made in advocating for legal frameworks and standards for ASRHR at national and regional levels.
• To introduce the DHMTs to the newly on boarded partners on the progress and discuss ways of working

www.vowaza.org

04/03/2026

Alert:

UNFPA is looking for experts to lead a diagnostic study on integrating & into Climate Change & Disaster Risk plans. If you specialize in gender-responsive climate policy, please learn more and apply here: https://esaro.unfpa.org/en/submission/ngo-invitation-proposals-feminist-rights-based-advocacy-social-norms-change-and

UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office

17/12/2025

BREAKING!!!

We are thrilled to announce that VOWAZA has been granted observer status at ACEWRC! Grateful for the support and trust. This is a significant milestone for us!




www.vowaza.org

03/12/2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)

Today, we join the global community in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), observed annually on the 3rd of December. The global theme for this year's IDPD is "Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress" This theme emphasizes that genuine social progress can only be achieved when we stand for inclusion, dignity, and safety for all.

Let us end violence against Persons With Disabilities and ensure accessible services for everyone.

02/12/2025

16 Days of Activism

This year, during the 16 Days of Activism, from 25 November to 10 December, VOWAZA is drawing attending to the alarming escalation of violence against women under the theme: "Unite to End Digital Violence". Let's stand together to create a safer, kinder digital space for every woman and girls, free from digital violence.

28/11/2025

MASERU - LESOTHO

Today, Susan Ha’angundu represented VOWAZA at the on-going 46th ACERWC Session on the Child – led Panel discussions during the Charter at 35th Child Rights Symposium under the Theme: ‘’Harmful Practices and Violence Against Children’’

27/11/2025

At the ongoing 46th ACERWC Session, we are actively engaging with muti-stakeholders to advance Child rights, protection, and welfare across Africa.

25/11/2025

MASERU, LESOTHO

Yesterday at the ongoing 27th Session of the CSO Forum in Maseru Lesotho, our Programmes Manager, Ackson Banda, as one of the Panelist under the theme Leveraging African Human Rights Instruments to Secure Access to Adolescent SRHR and Education shared insights on the policy situation in relation to addressing harmful social and cultural practices in Zambia. He further emphasized that the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child has several recommendations regarding harmful cultural practices, health, and health services for children which include the following:
• The Charter prohibits child marriage and betrothal of girls and boys, specifying that the minimum age of marriage should be 18 years.
• It also discourages customs, traditions, cultural or religious practices that are inconsistent with the rights, duties, and obligations contained in the Charter.
• States Parties are required to take all appropriate measures to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices affecting the welfare, dignity, normal growth, and development of the child.

We are not forsaking out culture; we are challenging those practices that are harmful to young people’s health and development. And we are honored to be part of this space through our partnership with the Centre for Reproductive Rights (CRR) https://reproductiverights.org/

14/11/2025

This week in Lusaka from 12th to 14th November 2025, we had an incredible experience at the Regional Adolescent Health Indaba (RAHi 2025)! The gathering brought together diverse voices, from youth activists to Young Changemakers, Health Heroes, and Future Leaders across Southern and East Africa and Beyond, to amplify ideas, network with peers and experts from across the continent, and drive real change in sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, mental well-being, and beyond. Witnessing these open conversations was truly inspiring. When we work together and listen to each other, we can make a real difference to pressing health challenges facing Adolescents and Young People (AYP).