Adolescents’ Health Rights in Focus as HRC-Z Urges Immediate Action
The Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Zambia (HRC-Z), Dr Pamela Towela Sambo, has urged stakeholders to strengthen protections for Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (ASRHR), highlighting persistent barriers faced by young people across the country.
Speaking at a Regional Workshop on Legal Frameworks for ASRHR in Lusaka, Dr Sambo emphasised that adolescents, particularly in rural communities, often encounter limited access to health facilities, a shortage of adolescent-friendly services, and entrenched cultural attitudes that perpetuate stigma and gender inequality.
“Let us ensure that young people access these services in safe and non-judgmental environments, including the promotion of evidence-based sexuality education in schools and communities,” she said.
Dr Sambo stressed that safeguarding ASRHR is critical not only for adolescents’ current well-being but also for preventing child marriages, gender-based violence, and school dropouts, laying the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future.
She also called for the inclusion of adolescents’ voices in policy and programme discussions, recognising young advocates as key catalysts for change.
The workshop brought together over 30 stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society actors, and health professionals, to discuss collaborative strategies for removing barriers that prevent young people from exercising their health rights.
Dr Sambo concluded by urging continued joint action to ensure that adolescents can navigate this transformative stage of life with dignity, access, and protection.
