EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA – PARIS
Saturday, 16th November, 2019
PARIS, FRANCE.
The Zambia – Swedish delegation pose for a picture soon after bilateral talks
PRESS STATEMENT
Press Release: For immediate release
Saturday, 16th November, 2019
ZAMBIA’s impressive record in the promotion of girls and women’s rights in the region elates the Swedish Government.
The Swedish Government also commended Zambia for being a role model for other Countries in the region which they said was progressive and good for democracy.
This was after Minister of Higher Education Dr. Brian Mushimba met with his Swedish counterpart Ms. Anna Ekström on the sidelines of the 40th Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France to discuss bilateral relations with regard to Education between the two countries.
Key on the agenda for discussion was the Swedish support to Zambia on Comprehensive Sexuality Education through a five (5) year project supported by SIDA that came to an end in March, 2019.
This project reached a total of 1.7 Million learners, 20,000 in-service teachers and 40,000 pre-service teachers.
The discussion also focused on the follow-up project called Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3 Zambia) which targets young people between the ages of ten (10) to twenty-four (24) years, to run from 2019 to 2023.
The project seeks to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRHR), gender, and Education outcomes for adolescents and young people in Zambia through sustained reductions in new HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, early and unintended pregnancy, and Gender-Based Violence.
Speaking during deliberations, the Swedish Minister alluded to Zambia’s impressive record in the promotion of girls and women’s rights in the region.
“Zambia is a role model for other Countries and this is good for democracy and progress. My Government stands ready to work and support Zambia in the Education sector” Ms. Ekström said.
And in response, Dr. Mushimba extolled the Swedish Government and noted that their support was critical to Zambia’s performance on girls and women’s rights.
Dr. Mushimba pointed out that Economic progress and human rights were anchored on bringing the girl child into the race as any society was only as strong as its weakest link adding that, for most States, their attention to girl child Education and empowerment represented their weakest link.
The Minister noted also that for Zambia to continue to be a beacon for the region, political will was vital and hence Government’s commitment on the matter was from the highest office through His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu who had passion to fight child marriages and promote girl child Education.
The Higher Education Minister was accompanied to this bilateral meeting by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kayula SIAME; Zambia’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Dr. Christine Kaseba-SATA; Ms. Mirriam CHIYABA, Director and C.EO, Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) and Director Planning and Information – Ministry of Higher Education, Mr. Succeed MUBANGA.
Issued by:
Yande Musonda (Ms.)
First Secretary – PRESS
EMBASSY/PERMANENT DELEGATION TO UNESCO
18, Avenue de Tourville – 75007
Paris, FRANCE
