Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon Mr. Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, BA FCIArb, MP, has observed that National Assembly has a constitutional mandate of representation, oversight and legislation. He further said, in carrying out these roles, parliamentarians had a sacred duty to diligently provide checks and balances on the Executive so as to foster improved service provision at all levels to the citizenry.

Speaking during the official opening of the two days virtual training workshop for the committees on Youth Sport and Child Matters and Heath, Development and Social Services on Sexual Reproductive Health of Children and Young Persons, (SRHR) on Saturday, 5th December, 2020, Dr Christopher Kalila, MP, who delivered the speech on behalf of Dr Matibini, reiterated that, pursuant to the National Assembly constitutional mandate  of oversight, the committee on Youth, Sport and Child Matters has the mandate to oversee the performance of Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Affairs. In this regard, the committee had resolved to undertake a study on the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of children and young people in Zambia. 

He added that, it was imperative for the Committee to undertake comprehensive stakeholder engagement in order to make meaningful recommendations to the Executive. In her welcoming remarks, Clerk of the National Assembly, Mrs Cecilia N Mbewe informed the participants that the National Assembly of Zambia was part of the Seven Parliaments of the SADC Region that implemented the first phase of the SRHR project from 2014 – 2018, with notable successes. She added that this commitment had resulted in Zambia being among the eleven National Parliaments implementing the second phase of the project (2019-2022)  funded by the Swedish government, through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Ambassador of Sweden, Ms Mikaela Hildebrand, Deputy Head of Sweden’s regional SRHR –Team for Africa, said the main objective of SADC Parliamentary Forum SRHR HIV/AIDS and Governance project is to equip SADC Parliamentarians to advocate for the SRHR through improved legislation, increased budget allocation and strengthen oversight. She further said that it was important for Members of Parliament to be well conversant with existing international laws, regional commitment and policies relating to SRHR in Zambia that Zambia has ratified and committed to. It’s also imperative that Members of Parliament are conversant with already existing national laws, and policies supporting SRHR in Zambia.  

She however implored the Zambian Government for the achievement towards ensuring of Sexual reproductive Health and Rights for all; this includes the Government’s commitment to sexual reproductive health and rights by ratifying eleven international instruments both Regional and Global as well Zambia’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which have relevant targets and goals for Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).   

Mrs. Mbewe further added that the workshop had been necessitated by the topical issues relating to the enjoyment of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) by children and young persons in Zambia which the Committee on youth, sport and child matters would study.

Apart from parliamentarians, the two days workshop also attracted participants from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with discussions targeting SRHR issues with a special focus on children and young people