14/05/2026
ZAMBIA CENTRE FOR INTERPARTY DIALOGUE (ZCID) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE JOINING FORCES ALLIANCE (JFA) AND UNICEF CONVENE MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE ON CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS
Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) in collaboration with the Joining Forces Alliance (JFA) and UNICEF, has engaged political parties on children’s social concerns gathered from across Zambia ahead of the electoral process.
The engagement brought together representatives from political parties, civil society organisations, and child rights stakeholders to discuss a manifesto of social issues developed from consultations with children across the country. The manifesto captures children’s concerns, aspirations, and recommendations on issues affecting their lives and future.
In her closing remarks delivered by Dr. Paul Kapotwe, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Zambia, Ms. Chilobe Muloba Kambikambi, Joining Forces Alliance emphasized the importance of placing children at the centre of political and development agendas by ensuring that their voices are reflected in policy commitments and governance processes. Political parties were encouraged to commit to addressing the concerns raised by children once in office.
The meeting also provided a platform for ZCID, JFA and UNICEF to present child safeguarding tools developed for use during political campaigns. These include safeguarding guidelines, a code of conduct, and a safeguarding risk assessment tool aimed at promoting the safety, dignity, and meaningful participation of children throughout political processes.
JFA called on all political parties to adopt and implement the safeguarding measures to ensure that children are protected from harm, exploitation, manipulation, and unsafe political environments during campaigns and related activities.