Zambia Participates in ECSA-HC Regional Youth Summit on Demographic Dividend and SRH
Zambia is participating in the inaugural East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) Regional Youth Summit, which is focusing on the demographic dividend and sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
The Summit, being held in the Kingdom of Eswatini under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Future”, has brought together young people from nine countries to discuss key social and development issues from a youth-centred perspective.
Sponsored by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the programme aims to address challenges facing the African continent, particularly those affecting adolescents and young people.
Officially opening the Summit, Eswatini’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs, Hon. Harries Madze Bulunga, emphasised the need to prioritise the welfare and aspirations of young people across the region.
Meanwhile, ECSA-HC Director General, Dr Yoswa Dambisya Ntuli, described young people as Africa’s greatest asset, stressing the importance of inclusive youth participation in development processes.
“Nothing should be done for the youth without the youth themselves,” Dr Ntuli said, adding that the demographic dividend will only be realised through adequate resource mobilisation and people-driven development. He urged young people to continue advocating for education, skills development, entrepreneurship and access to employment.
Zambia’s participation comes against the backdrop of national statistics showing that 37 per cent of the country’s population is youth, highlighting the need to strengthen interventions in mental health, sexual and reproductive health and other priority areas.
The Zambian delegation to the Summit includes Ms Mable Mweemba, Chief Adolescent Health Officer at the Ministry of Health, Ms Gloria Lubumbe, Principal Adolescent Health Officer, and Mr Andrew H. Phiri, Editor.
Speaking at the Summit, Ms Mweemba said Zambia’s Ministry of Health remains committed to empowering adolescents and young people through peer education initiatives.
“Through our peer education intervention, the Ministry of Health will continue empowering and mentoring adolescents and young people to be active drivers of the demographic dividend and sexual and reproductive health agenda, in line with Vision 2030,” she said.
Zambia is also represented by youths from various organisations, including Restless Development Zambia, Mind Space, the Medicines Research and Access Platform (MEDRAP) and The Youth Platform 360 (TYP360), reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive youth engagement in regional development discussions.
