In a strong and unified appeal, the National Assembly of Zambia working in partnership with the European Union and the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for increased investment and decisive legislative action to strengthen Early Childhood Development (ECD), underscoring the urgent challenges facing millions of Zambian children.
The urgent appeal was made during a panel discussion held on Thursday, 27th November, 2025, at Parliament Buildings, Lusaka under the theme: “From Policy to Practice: How Can Parliament Drive Transformative Change for ECD in Zambia?”
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon. Ms Nelly B K Mutti, SC., MP, FAPRA, Mr. Joseph Munsanje, MP for Mbabala Constituency and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Children, emphasised Parliament's pivotal role. He outlined three key levers for change: legislation, oversight, and budget approval.
“If we want a prosperous Zambia, we must invest in our youngest citizens not tomorrow, but today,” Mr. Munsanje stated. He emphasised that challenges like malnutrition and limited access to early learning undermine school readiness and national development, making ECD an urgent national priority.
The discussion featured strong contributions from key partners.
Mr. Henri Heikura from UNICEF presented a stark picture, revealing that 6.6 million Zambian children face multiple deprivations, with one in three under five being stunted. He framed ECD as both “an economic imperative and a human rights obligation,” noting that every $1 invested yields at least $4 in long-term benefits.
Echoing the global significance of the issue, Mr. Bogdan Stefanescu from the European Union announced a major new investment: the €50 million (K1.4 billion) ‘Equal Chances for Human Development Programme’. This initiative will construct 38 ECD centres in Northwestern and Luapula provinces and train teachers and parents to provide quality nurturing care.
Speaking at the same event, the Deputy Clerk (Procedure) Mr. Stephen Kawimbe, highlighted that the dialogue aligned with the National Assembly’s strategic goals and the broader objectives of the 8th National Development Plan, reinforcing Parliament's commitment to sustainable development.
The panel led by the National Coordinator ECD Action Network Zambia, Mrs Edith Ngo’ma, included experts from civil society, government, and academia, concluded with a unified resolve. Participants agreed on the necessity of treating ECD as a national investment, prioritising its financing, and translating policies into tangible results for every Zambian child.
In conclusion, the National Assembly expressed its profound gratitude to the European Union and UNICEF for their technical and financial support, which is instrumental in driving the transformative change needed for Zambia’s future generations.
