The Vice President of the Republic of Zambia: Her Honour, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina.

Minister of Finance,

Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development; Honorable Emmanuel Mulenga, 

And all other Ministers present,

Permanent Secretaries, and Directors and other government representatives

Representatives of Development Partners and CSOs,

Distinguished Delegates, ladies and gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to be part of this occasion as the government of Zambia accelerates its efforts to address Violence against Children.  Your Honour, I am glad to note that what we are witnessing today, is the result of your Government and other stakeholders’ commitment to children who recently went through a capacity enhancement session to address Violence Against Children (VAC).

Your Honour, it may please you to know that this gathering of high level political leaders in Zambia, on VAC, is a first for Africa. I commend you and all the distinguished ministers present this morning.

In 2015, world leaders made an explicit statement and set ambitious targets to end violence against children by 2030.  Similarly, the African Union has reflected this goal in Agenda 2040 for children and Agenda 2063 for the continents broader human and economic development. These ambitious global and African goals, led to the establishment of global and Pan-African initiatives, to drive multi-stakeholder coordination, violence against children.  At the core of the Global and African Partnership to end VAC, is the centrality of sustained political will to drive the national, continental and global VAC agenda. 

At this juncture permit me applaud the Government of Zambia for the actions taken so far to prevent violence against children supported by legislative, policy and programmatic frameworks. The protection of children from violence that is preserved in Zambia’s national laws and policies is a commendable step.

 As African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) and African Partnership to End Violence Against Children (APEVAC), our presence here today demonstrates continental and global solidarity and support to the Government of Zambia. We are championing the agenda to end all forms of VAC in Africa, by supporting countries to prioritize violence prevention. This landmark convening of top political dignitaries, is the first collective country action I have witnessed.  It is in itself a demonstration of your government’s resolve to put VAC on your agenda; to prioritize prevention and elimination of VAC. I am personally excited by the enthusiasm in this room, which is reassuring of your collective resolve to coordinate your various ministries to drive the VAC agenda forward together.

Zambia has set a global standard from which other countries will learn and emulate.  This meeting marks the beginning of an important journey that translates intentions to act, to commitments to act.

Your Honour, we pledge our support to your government in line with regional and global strategic priorities on VAC.  

• In building and Sustaining national level Political will on VAC, I urge you to Build on this political momentum in Zambia, to deepen national level action on VAC.
• This gathering is a clear demonstration of Zambia catalysing cross-country and cross-regional learning and sharing of experiences. Therefore, we call on all Ministries present to draw on the lessons from this convening, share them with other countries and inform a shift in practice in Africa.
• In Reflecting Africa’s position and perspectives, Zambia is clearly on the path to join the pathfinder initiative of the global partnership to end VAC, a commitment to undertake comprehensive and deliberate action to end all forms of violence against children. Yours will be the added voice on the continent to the few countries (Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire) which have taken similar paths.

Your Honour, you’ll be pleased to know that, Zambia’s leadership on the continental scene is growing under the leadership of the honourable President who is spearheading the AU efforts to end child marriage, a prevalent form of VAC in Africa.

Your Honour, we have been privileged to work alongside your team of dedicated and committed technical officers under the able leadership of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Mr. Joe Kapembwe who will be featured in a documentary commemorating 30 years of the African Charter on the Rights and Wellbeing of children.

In closing, I am delighted to share with you that ACPF will be launching The Africa Report on Child Wellbeing that looks at how friendly African governments are towards girls next month. We will be honoured to have The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Hon. Emmanuel Mulenga speaking on behalf of your government and for African governments, at this virtual launch.

Your Honour, I am optimistic that with the commitment of your government, which we have all witnessed this morning; Zambia will continue to make her mark in keeping children safe from all forms of violence continentally and globally.  

I thank you all for your kind attention

Dr Joan Nyanyuki,

Executive Director, African Child Policy Forum (ACPF)
Chair, Executive Council African Partnership to End Violence Against Children (APEVAC)