Breaking the poverty cycle requires innovative, integrated and multi-sectoral responses. UNICEF Zambia celebrates 70 years of standing up to injustices experienced by children and women through social protection initiatives and child-friendly budgeting and policy development.
There is no more critical time than between birth and the age of two to provide a child with a strong nutritional and immunological foundation, and UNICEF Zambia continues to build a solid national framework for nutrition in Zambia. Community/Peer Mentors conduct a health talks in the communities to young and expectant mothers, teaching them what to eat and how to prepare the meals for themselves and their children for best nutritional value. They also talk about health, reproductive issues and HIV.
Access to water and sanitation is a basic human right. It is also a pre-condition for social and economic development. In Zambia, UNICEF strives to improve access to WASH for vulnerable children and women in rural communities, schools and health facilities.Access to safe drinking water through the implementation of water points and educating children about hygiene has decreased the rate of diseases, and cholera in particular. Pupils enjoy the benefits of newly built latrines and a hand washing system on the school premises. Toilets are a must for girls’ education, as the presence of latrines markedly decreases the drop out rate for young girls.
UNICEF Zambia supports the government to provide equitable access to quality, inclusive and gender-sensitive education. To encourage girls to stay in school UNICEF Zambia supports advocacy for the re Entry Policy for school girls.
Social Cash Transfer is a flagship programme under the new Social protection Policy. The project which is supported technically by UNICEF reaches an estimated 1 million poor and vulnerable children, helping them out of poverty. Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Program in the Nteme District go to the local school where they receive their monthly grant from local social services. These monthly cash grants allow the family to eat more nutritiously, encourage the children to go to school, hence keeping them away from child labour and other forms of child exploitation.