MARGARET CHISANGA
Lusaka
UNFPA Country Representative Seth Broekman says safeguarding adolescent girls is key to harnessing demographic dividends and has called for prioritisation of the welfare of the girl-child.
He has also applauded Government’s progressive leadership in harmonizing the laws.
This is according to statement to mark International Day of the Girl Child, under the theme “The girl I am, the change I lead”.
“On this day, we celebrate the steps taken by the Government of Zambia, its partners, and our communities to build a just and protective future for our girls. A core foundation of this progress is the legal framework. Well-being of this group is critical, as their journey will determine Zambia’s future trajectory across social, economic, and health sectors,” he said.
He said from an economic and societal standpoint, when girls are supported to transition safely into adulthood, the nation too, can reduce its dependency ratio and build a more productive and skilled workforce.
“By avoiding early marriage and pregnancy, girls have greater opportunities for education, work and meaningful participation in society. This will, in turn, help break the cycles of poverty and strengthen Zambia’s long-term socioeconomic progress. These protective measures create the space for girls to step up as the leaders they are,” he said.
With 26% of Zambia’s population being adolescents, this demographic represents a significant and growing force, essential to the nation’s future.
Among them are over 2 million adolescent girls aged 10-19, including about 1.1 million in early adolescence (10-14) and 966,000 in late adolescence (15-19).
He further highlighted that for millions of these adolescent girls, there journey is full of risk, marked by persistent and complex challenges which threaten to derail their potential.
“Every girl has the right to embrace her identity and choose her path in life; on her journey to adulthood, she must be protected, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive. Her aspirations must be heard and encouraged, and her rights and choices must be protected,” he said.
Mr Broekman said adolescent girls must be protected from violations such as child marriage and gender-based violence (GBV).
“With nearly 28% of adolescent girls being pregnant before 18, and the high rates of child marriage, their right to health, education, and dignity are compromised. Furthermore, adolescent girls and young women face a high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, necessitating targeted health and protection measures,” he said.
He also celebrated the over 139,000 adolescent girls engaged in Life Skills and Health Education interventions, equipping them with the knowledge and agency to make informed choices about their bodies and futures.
