18/06/2026
ZAFOD today participated in the National Youth Development Strategy (2026–2030) Validation Meeting held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. The meeting, officiated by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, brought together youth-led organizations, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and young people from across the country to deliberate on the proposed strategy.
The proposed strategy seeks to promote inclusive youth development by fostering self-reliance, creating opportunities, and strengthening partnerships that drive meaningful and sustainable development for young people.
As part of the consultative process, our program officer, Mrs Shalom Mwape Kanguya emphasized the importance of addressing the structural and systemic barriers that continue to exclude young persons with disabilities from fully participating in and benefiting from national development initiatives. Key concerns raised included the lack of sign language interpreters, inaccessible infrastructure and facilities, and other barriers that limit meaningful inclusion.
ZAFOD urged that the strategy incorporates clear, practical, and measurable interventions to ensure that no young person is left behind, and that youths with disabilities are empowered to actively contribute to and benefit from Zambia’s development agenda.