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    29Jun, 2026
    Children’s Advocacy Leads to Construction of a 1 × 6 Classroom Block

    Members of the Children’s Rights Club (CRC) at Mbabala Secondary School in Choma District, Southern Province, faced significant challenges related to inadequate learning space. The school is centrally located and attracts hundreds of learners from within and outside the community. As enrolment increased, the school was forced to conduct lessons in shifts, with some learners attending classes in the morning and others in the afternoon. This arrangement reduced the number of subjects learners could study each day and affected the quality of learning.

    Through the Children’s Rights Club, learners gained knowledge about their rights and developed advocacy skills that enabled them to engage school authorities on issues affecting their education. Recognizing the need for additional classroom space, CRC members raised their concerns with school management and advocated for the construction of more classrooms.

    The school administration, which values and promotes child participation, responded positively to the learners’ concerns. As a result, efforts were made to identify potential partners and well-wishers who could support the school’s infrastructure needs. These efforts were successful, and the construction of a 1 x 6 classroom block is now underway. Once completed, the new classrooms are expected to improve the learning environment and enhance the quality of education for learners.

    The influence of the Children’s Rights Club extends beyond the school environment and into the wider community. Mbabala Secondary School is located near a facility that provides free Wi-Fi services 24 hours a day. While the service offered learners opportunities for research and learning, it also presented challenges, as some learners frequently absconded from classes to access the internet during school hours.

    Concerned about the negative impact on school attendance and academic performance, CRC members, with support from the school administration, engaged the managers of the internet facility. They highlighted the effects of unrestricted Wi-Fi access on learner attendance and proposed making the service available after school hours. This was done, and as a result, Wi-Fi is now only accessible after learners have finished school for the day.

    Reflecting on the initiative, Teddy Mweetwa, President of the Children’s Rights Club, explained:

    “Many learners were spending time accessing the free Wi-Fi when they should have been in class. We felt it was important to find a solution that would help learners focus on their education while still benefiting from internet access after school.

    The engagement demonstrated children’s ability to identify community challenges, propose practical solutions, and drive positive change. These achievements are clear evidence of the effectiveness of Children’s Rights Clubs in empowering learners to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives and contribute to improving both educational outcomes and community wellbeing.

    23Jun, 2026
    Children’s Rights Club Transforms Children’s Voices into Action

    The Children’s Rights Club (CRC) at Manda Secondary School in Choma has provided learners with an important platform to participate in decision-making processes affecting their education and wellbeing.

    Through the CRC, learners identified the need for additional classroom space and submitted a request for classroom expansion. Their concerns were taken seriously and received the necessary attention from school authorities and other stakeholders. As a result, the construction of a new classroom block is now underway.

    The initiative has also received strong support from the local community. Community members have contributed building materials, including sand, and have moulded bricks to support the construction process, demonstrating their commitment to improving the learning environment for children.

    In addition, the work of the Children’s Rights Club has contributed to reducing child rights violations within the community, particularly cases of early pregnancies among school-going children. By raising awareness of children’s rights and promoting meaningful participation, the CRC has empowered learners to become advocates for positive change within their school and community.

    The achievements of the Children’s Rights Club at Manda Secondary School demonstrate the value of creating safe and inclusive spaces where children can express their views and actively contribute to decisions that affect their lives. This story highlights how empowering children to participate meaningfully can lead to tangible improvements in education, child protection, and community development.

    22Jun, 2026
    ZCEA Participates in National Coordinating Committee for Children Orientation Workshop in Siavonga

    Siavonga, Zambia – 22 June 2026

    The Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA) is participating in the Orientation Workshop for the National Coordinating Committee for Children (NCCC), organized by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) from 22 to 23 June 2026 at Savee Beach Resort in Siavonga District.

    The workshop follows the official unveiling of the National Coordinating Committee for Children by the Honourable Minister of Community Development and Social Services earlier this year and is aimed at operationalizing the Committee and strengthening its effectiveness in coordinating child protection and child development interventions across Zambia

    The orientation has brought together committee members, government ministries and agencies, cooperating partners, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders to enhance their understanding of the committee’s mandate and operational framework.

    Key discussions during the workshop focus on the legal and policy framework governing child welfare and protection in Zambia, the roles and responsibilities of institutions involved in child development, online child protection, state party reporting obligations, and the operational procedures of the NCCC.

    The workshop also provides an opportunity for stakeholders to review work planning processes, reporting mechanisms, and collaborative approaches to addressing emerging child protection issues affecting children across the country.

    Representing ZCEA, Mr. Paul Samboko is actively participating in the discussions and sharing the organization’s experience in child rights education, child participation, social accountability, and community-based child protection programming.

    As a member of the National Coordinating Committee for Children, ZCEA recognizes the importance of coordinated and multi-sectoral approaches in addressing issues affecting children. The Association remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen children’s rights, promote meaningful child participation in decision-making processes, and improve the well-being of children throughout Zambia.

    ZCEA looks forward to continued collaboration with the government, development partners, and civil society organizations in advancing a child-friendly Zambia where every child is protected, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

    22Jun, 2026
    National children’s parliament calls for stronger child protection mechanisms

    June 9, 2026

    Children from all 10 provinces of Zambia convened at the National Assembly of Zambia for the National Children’s Parliament under the Participation First! Children’s Voices Matter Project and the Child Rights Education Project (CREP), implemented by the Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA) in partnership with key stakeholders.

    The young parliamentarians debated the motion:

    “That this House urges the Government to strengthen child protection mechanisms to protect children from child labour, early marriages, and all forms of child abuse.”

    Drawing on their lived experiences and the challenges children face in their communities, the young delegates engaged with government ministries and stakeholders on key child protection issues. Their contributions highlighted the need for stronger prevention, reporting, and response systems to protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and harmful practices.

    The National Children’s Parliament reaffirmed the importance of meaningful child participation by providing a platform for children to influence policies and decisions that affect their lives. The event demonstrated that when children are given safe and inclusive spaces to participate, they contribute valuable insights and practical solutions to some of the most pressing challenges affecting their lives.

    22Jun, 2026
    Children call for increased investment in child-friendly WASH services during the 2026 Day of the African Child

    June 16, 2026

    Zambia joined the rest of Africa in commemorating the Day of the African Child (DAC) 2026 under the theme: “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.“

    Commemorations took place across provincial capitals, bringing together children, government officials, cooperating partners, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, teachers, and community members to reflect on the importance of ensuring that every child has access to safe water, adequate sanitation facilities, and proper hygiene services.

    The celebrations provided a platform for children to express their views, share their experiences, and call for increased investment in child-friendly WASH services in schools, health facilities, and communities. Through speeches, cultural performances, exhibitions, debates, and interactive discussions, children highlighted the critical link between access to water and their health, education, dignity, and overall well-being.

    As we commemorate this important day, we reaffirm our collective responsibility to protect and promote children’s rights and to ensure that no child is left behind in accessing essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

    31Dec, 2022
    Proposal Development

    ZCEA was part of the National Child Rights Forum (NCRF) that spearheaded the development of a proposal to Save the Children International. The organization was identified as a technical partner by SCI and is therefore implementing interventions under Public Budgeting for Children’s Rights Thematic Area of the NCRF Programming.

    31Dec, 2022
    Report Submission

    ZCEA coordinated a meeting on the preparation of the report to be submitted to the African Committee of Experts on the Welfare and Rights of the Child.

    31Dec, 2022
    LAZ Consultative meetings

     Through the CFCAD Project Officer ZCEA participated in the review of the Constitution stakeholder’s consultative meetings organized by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ).

    31Dec, 2022
    Networking

    Through the CFCAD Project Officer ZCEA participated in the integration of electoral content in the school curriculum from Early Childhood Education to Tertiary level and the development of supplementary materials on the electoral systems in Zambia.