Climate Justice in Zambia: Communities Bearing the Cost of a Global Crisis

 By Alain kabinda

In many rural communities across Zambia, climate change is not discussed as a distant global issue but as a daily reality that affects food, water, and livelihoods. For families in farming areas, the changing climate has brought uncertainty and hardship, particularly for communities that depend on seasonal rains for survival.

In one farming community in Southern Province, residents say the rains that once came predictably between November and March have become erratic. Some seasons begin late, while others bring long dry spells that destroy crops before harvest. For small-scale farmers, this means repeated losses and growing food insecurity.

“We used to know when to plant, and we could predict the season,” said one local farmer. “Now the rains come when they want. Sometimes they stop for weeks, and our maize dries before it grows.”

The effects go beyond farming. Water sources such as streams and shallow wells have dried up earlier than usual, forcing women and children to walk longer distances to fetch water. In some villages, families now wake before dawn to queue at boreholes, sometimes spending hours waiting for a chance to collect enough water for household use.

Livestock farmers are also struggling. Pastures have shrunk due to prolonged drought, and cattle deaths have increased in some areas because of limited water and grazing land. For many households, losing cattle means losing savings, income, and a source of food.

The burden is often greatest for women, who carry much of the responsibility for household survival. As crops fail and water becomes scarce, women take on additional work to feed their families, while children may miss school to help at home.

Community leaders say the situation reflects climate injustice. Despite contributing very little to global pollution, rural communities in Zambia are among those suffering the harshest consequences of climate change. Many residents feel they are paying the price for a crisis created elsewhere.

As climate change intensifies across southern Africa, the conversation in Zambia is shifting beyond weather patterns and environmental conservation to a more urgent issue — climate justice. For many communities, especially those in rural and low-income areas, the crisis is no longer just about rising temperatures or erratic rainfall. It is about fairness, survival, and the unequal burden carried by those who have contributed least to global emissions.

In recent years, Zambia has experienced prolonged droughts, flash floods, and changing rainfall seasons that have disrupted agriculture, water supply, and livelihoods. These climate shocks have hit hardest in communities that depend on rain-fed farming, with small-scale farmers bearing the brunt of failed harvests and food insecurity. Yet environmental experts note that Zambia’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions remains relatively small compared to industrialized nations.

This imbalance lies at the heart of climate justice — the argument that countries and communities least responsible for climate change are often the ones suffering its harshest consequences. In Zambia, this reality is increasingly visible in villages where families are forced to walk longer distances for water, livestock die from lack of pasture, and once-predictable farming seasons can no longer be trusted.

In districts such as Southern, Western, and parts of Eastern Province, communities are adapting to a new normal of uncertainty. Farmers who once relied on maize as a staple crop are being encouraged to diversify into drought-resistant crops such as sorghum and millet. But adaptation comes at a cost, and many families lack the resources to make the transition without external support.

Women and children are among the most affected. In many rural households, women are responsible for collecting water, growing food, and caring for families. When drought strikes, these responsibilities become heavier. Girls may miss school to help fetch water or support household survival, deepening existing inequalities. Advocates say climate change is not gender-neutral — it often worsens social and economic disparities already present in communities.

Civil society organizations in Zambia are increasingly calling for climate justice to be integrated into national development planning. They argue that climate action should not only focus on reducing environmental damage but also on protecting vulnerable people whose livelihoods are at risk.

At the policy level, Zambia has made commitments under the United Nations climate framework and has taken part in global climate negotiations, where developing countries continue to demand greater financial support from wealthier nations. The central argument is that nations with historically high carbon emissions should provide more resources for adaptation and resilience in countries like Zambia.

Local activists say international climate finance must reach the communities most affected rather than remaining concentrated in policy discussions or large infrastructure projects. They argue that climate justice means ensuring small farmers, women’s groups, and vulnerable communities have direct access to adaptation funding, technology, and training.

Young people are also becoming vocal in the climate justice movement. Across Zambia, youth-led organizations are pushing for stronger environmental policies and demanding that climate education be incorporated into schools. For many young activists, climate justice is also about intergenerational fairness — ensuring that today’s development decisions do not compromise the future.

Experts warn that if climate impacts continue without adequate intervention, they could deepen poverty and inequality in Zambia. Food shortages, water stress, and displacement could intensify social tensions, making climate change not only an environmental issue but also a development and human rights concern.

As Zambia faces an increasingly uncertain climate future, the call for justice is growing louder. For affected communities, the issue is simple: those who did the least to cause the crisis should not be left to face its harshest consequences alone. Climate justice, they say, is no longer a global slogan — it is a local demand for dignity, fairness, and survival.

As climate shocks become more frequent, communities are calling for greater support through irrigation systems, drought-resistant seeds, and direct climate adaptation funding. For them, climate justice means more than international discussions — it means practical solutions that help communities survive and rebuild in the face of a changing environment.

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 Bringing Smiles to the Ward: Cancer Society Supports Children with Cancer

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA – For children receiving cancer treatment, hospital days can often feel long, uncertain, and emotionally exhausting. But for a group of young patients at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, moments of joy and comfort replaced routine clinical care as members of the Cancer Society of Zambia arrived bearing gifts and encouragement.

The visit, organized as part of the organization’s continued support for children living with cancer, saw the donation of various essential and comfort items aimed at easing the burden faced by patients and their families during treatment.

Boxes of supplies, care packages, and donated items filled the hospital ward as volunteers interacted with children, caregivers, and health workers in an effort to remind families that they are not facing the cancer journey alone.

Smiles appeared where anxiety had settled. Conversations replaced silence. Parents who often carry the emotional and financial weight of treatment found reassurance in knowing that others cared.

Cancer Society of Zambia Communications and administration Manager Idah Phiri said the donation forms part of broader efforts to provide psychosocial support and improve the wellbeing of children undergoing treatment.

Ms. Phiri noted that childhood cancer affects not only the patient but entire families, many of whom face long periods away from home, disrupted livelihoods, and emotional strain.

“Cancer treatment is not only about medicine. Children also need emotional support, dignity, comfort, and hope,” Ms. Phiri said.

Health workers and families at Cancer Diseases Hospital welcomed the gesture, describing community support as an important complement to clinical care.

They said families often encounter challenges ranging from transport costs and accommodation pressures to difficulties maintaining basic daily needs during treatment periods.

Childhood cancer remains a growing public health concern globally, with early diagnosis, timely treatment, and family support playing critical roles in improving outcomes.

Ms. Phiri also said that public awareness and community engagement remain essential to reducing stigma and encouraging families to seek medical attention early.

During the visit, volunteers spent time talking, laughing, and interacting with the children—moments that transformed the hospital environment into one of celebration rather than illness.

Parents expressed gratitude for the support, saying such gestures provide emotional relief during difficult periods.

One parent said seeing her child smile again was as valuable as receiving the donated items themselves.

For the Cancer Society of Zambia, the visit carried a simple but powerful message: children fighting cancer should never feel forgotten.

As the donations were handed over and the day drew to a close, one lesson remained clear—sometimes the most meaningful medicine is knowing that someone cares.

 Beyond the Leaf: Zambia’s Tobacco Industry Eyes Value Addition and Sustainability

By Alain kabinda

For generations, tobacco farming has shaped livelihoods across rural Zambia. In districts where agricultural seasons determine household incomes and local economies, tobacco has long stood as more than a crop — it has been a source of employment, export earnings, and economic survival.

But as climate change intensifies, global markets shift, and international sustainability standards evolve, Zambia’s tobacco industry is confronting a defining question: how can it remain competitive while securing long-term growth?

That question took center stage at the 61st Annual Congress of the Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) held in Lusaka, where government officials, producers, and industry stakeholders gathered to chart a future for one of Zambia’s most significant agricultural sectors.

Held under the theme “Building a Competitive and Sustainable Tobacco Industry in a Changing Global Market,” the congress became more than an annual meeting — it became a conversation about transformation.

Speaking During the official opening the congress, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary (Technical Services), Mr. John A. Mulongoti, described tobacco as a strategic industry that continues to contribute significantly to national development through exports, employment creation, and support for rural communities.

He further stated that Zambia’s tobacco production has grown sharply — rising from approximately 30 million kilograms in 2022 to more than 100 million kilograms in 2025, signaling strong recovery and expansion within the sector.

Government officials and industry leaders at the congress emphasized that future success should no longer be measured only by production volumes but by how much value remains inside the country.

The conversation focused on processing, manufacturing, skills development, industrialization, and strengthening domestic participation across the tobacco value chain.

And Tobacco Association of Zambia (TAZ) President Mr. Sianga Musheke argued that Zambia’s competitive advantage will increasingly depend on reducing production costs, improving efficiency, and expanding investments beyond farm gates.

One proposal attracting attention is the development of a Public-Private Partnership One-Stop Tobacco Industry Park, envisioned as an integrated hub for processing, training, logistics, manufacturing, research, and export development. Industry stakeholders believe such investments could create jobs, attract capital, and strengthen Zambia’s industrial base.

The congress also highlighted discussions around the Popota Concept, an initiative aimed at broadening economic participation and stimulating rural industrialisation.

While competitiveness dominated discussions, climate change emerged as an equally urgent concern.

Farmers and policymakers acknowledged that changing rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, and growing environmental pressures are reshaping agricultural production.

Government outlined plans to prioritize irrigation development, climate-smart agriculture, water harvesting, sustainable land management, and environmental stewardship as part of broader agricultural transformation efforts.

Investment in irrigation, mechanisation, and climate adaptation technologies is increasingly viewed as necessary insurance against future shocks. Stakeholders stressed that maintaining yields while protecting natural resources will define the sector’s long-term sustainability.

Farmers argued that productivity improvements require investment capital that many producers still struggle to access.

TAZ proposed continued dialogue around innovative financing models, including ideas such as an Agriculture Development Fund to support investments in irrigation, mechanisation, and farm-level modernization.

Government signaled willingness to continue exploring mechanisms that improve access to productive financing across agriculture.

Stakeholders also welcomed the recent reduction of the tobacco levy from 2 percent to 1.5 percent, describing it as an example of how consultation between government and industry can improve competitiveness.

As global expectations evolve and agricultural industries face mounting pressure to adapt, Zambia’s tobacco sector appears to be repositioning itself.

It is about building an industry that is resilient to climate shocks, competitive in global markets, and capable of creating more value locally.

For farmers attending the congress, the message was clear: the future of tobacco in Zambia will depend on innovation, partnership, and the ability to transform agricultural growth into broader economic opportunity.

And as delegates concluded their discussions in Lusaka, one idea stood out — competitiveness in the future may no longer begin in the field alone, but in what happens after the harvest.

CLRI Urges National Unity Following South African Court Ruling on Former President Lungu

By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA, June 25, 2026 — The Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) has called for peace, reconciliation, and national unity following a South African court ruling concerning matters related to Zambia’s late Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

In a statement issued on Thursday to Daily News, the governance and policy research institution commended the Zambian Government for its decision not to appeal the ruling, describing the move as a demonstration of respect for judicial independence and the rule of law.

The court decision comes at a sensitive time for Zambia as the nation continues to reflect on the legacy of the former Head of State, whose passing has attracted both national and international attention.

According to CLRI, the Government’s acceptance of the court’s verdict sends a strong signal about Zambia’s commitment to constitutional governance and democratic principles.

“We commend the Government of the Republic of Zambia for its decision not to appeal the ruling, a step that demonstrates respect for judicial processes and the rule of law,” the institute stated.

The organisation noted that respecting judicial decisions contributes to national stability, strengthens public confidence in legal institutions, and helps ease political tensions during periods of uncertainty.

Beyond the legal aspects of the matter, CLRI emphasized the need for Zambians to focus on unity and national cohesion. The institute urged political leaders, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens to embrace dialogue and reconciliation.

Observers have noted that moments involving former national leaders often evoke strong emotions and differing political perspectives. However, CLRI believes the conclusion of the legal process should create an opportunity for the country to move forward together while honouring the former President’s contribution to national development.

The institute stressed that Zambia’s long-standing reputation for peace and stability should remain a guiding principle during the current period of reflection.

“Zambia’s enduring strength lies in its ability to remain peaceful and united despite political differences,” the statement said, urging stakeholders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and instead promote tolerance, understanding, and social cohesion.

CLRI further called on citizens to uphold the national motto, “One Zambia, One Nation,” describing it as a timeless value that continues to underpin the country’s democratic journey.

As discussions surrounding the legacy of Dr. Lungu continue, the institute maintained that national interests should take precedence over partisan considerations, adding that unity and mutual respect remain essential for the country’s progress.

The statement was issued by CLRI Executive Director Mundia Paul Hakoola in Lusaka.

 ZGF Calls for Community Ownership to Sustain Zambia's Development

By Alain Kabinda

As Zambia moves closer to another election cycle and national conversations intensify around development, governance, and public resource allocation, one civil society Zambia Governance Foundation is urging the country to look beyond projects and political promises toward a more sustainable model of community ownership.

Speaking to members of the media in Lusaka, the Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) Chief Executive Officer Ms. Engwase Banda Mwale called for greater investment in community-led development systems, arguing that long-term progress depends not only on funding but also on strong local institutions capable of sustaining development long after projects and political terms have ended.

           ( Ms Engwase Banda Mwale)

Ms.  Mwale noted that Zambia has made important strides in recent years through initiatives such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), decentralization reforms, infrastructure expansion, and youth empowerment programmes. These efforts have brought development resources closer to local communities and increased opportunities for citizen participation.

However, ZGF cautioned that decentralising resources alone is not enough.

"Too often, communities experience development as something delivered to them rather than something they actively shape, design, and sustain," Ms. Mwale observed, also highlighting what it described as a growing paradox in Zambia's development landscape.

According to Ms. Mwale, while more resources are reaching communities than ever before, challenges remain in ensuring sustainability, local ownership, accountability, and active citizen participation. As a result, many developments gains risk becoming dependent on funding cycles or political transitions rather than being embedded within community structures.

For the past 17 years, ZGF has been promoting approaches centered on Community Foundations and local philanthropy. The organisation believes these models provide a practical pathway for communities to organize local resources, manage assets, and support development priorities based on local needs.

Over the last four years, with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, ZGF has worked with Community Foundations and community-led development structures in Chibombo, Serenje, and Chongwe districts. The experience, ZGF says, has reinforced a critical lesson: development cannot be sustained through projects alone.

"Projects are temporary by design. Institutions are permanent by intention," Ms. Mwale stated, emphasizing the need to build durable community institutions that can continue driving development beyond individual interventions.

Ms. Mwale also highlighted the largely untapped potential of local philanthropy. Across Zambia, communities already practice various forms of mutual support through savings groups, church contributions, cooperatives, and informal social networks. What remains missing, according to ZGF, is the institutional framework needed to coordinate and amplify these efforts into long-term development outcomes.

Community Foundations, Ms. Mwale argues, can fill this gap by creating transparent mechanisms through which individuals, businesses, diaspora communities, and other stakeholders can contribute resources toward locally determined priorities.

As political parties begin presenting competing visions ahead of the next general election, Ms. Mwale has warned against viewing development solely through an electoral lens. While election campaigns often focus on immediate needs and visible achievements, many of the country's most pressing challenges—including education, healthcare, livelihoods, climate resilience, and youth opportunities—require sustained effort over many years.

And speaking at the same media engagement Civi Society Organisation Development Manager Ms. Racheal Mwila said that the Foundation believes that development is most resilient when communities themselves are actively involved in planning, implementing, and overseeing initiatives.

Ms. Mwila added that ZGF envisions an integrated development ecosystem in which government, civil society, the private sector, and communities each play complementary roles. In this model, government provides public financing, civil society offers technical support, businesses contribute investment and corporate social responsibility initiatives, while communities participate through local mobilisation, oversight, and ownership.

Ms. Mwila further revealed plans to explore urban Community Foundation models in Lusaka, Livingstone, and the Copperbelt, where opportunities exist to mobilise corporate giving, diaspora contributions, and local philanthropy to support community priorities.

At the heart of ZGF's message is a simple but powerful principle: sustainable development is not something done for communities; it is something built with them and ultimately owned by them.

As Zambia prepares for another important electoral season, the Foundation's call serves as a reminder that while governments, policies, and projects may change over time, communities remain. And when equipped with strong institutions, trusted systems, and opportunities for participation, they become the true custodians of lasting development.

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 Protecting Progress: Rights Advocates Push African Governments to Defend the Maputo Protocol

By Alain Kabinda

As Africa races against time to achieve gender equality and improved health outcomes by 2030, a growing coalition of human rights advocates, legal experts, and health leaders is sounding the alarm over what they describe as a dangerous threat to decades of progress for women and girls across the continent.

At the center of the debate is a proposed African Charter on Family Sovereignty and Values, a draft document that critics say could weaken established protections for women's rights, sexual and reproductive health rights, and gender equality enshrined in the Maputo Protocol.

During a recent global dialogue hosted by the Global Centre for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and several international partners, experts called on African governments to reject the proposed charter and reaffirm their commitment to the Maputo Protocol, one of Africa's most significant human rights instruments.

For many advocates, the issue goes beyond legal language. It is about the future of millions of women and girls whose access to education, healthcare, protection from violence, and reproductive rights could be affected by decisions made today.

A Landmark African Achievement Under Pressure Adopted by the African Union in 2003, the Maputo Protocol is widely regarded as one of the most progressive human rights treaties on the continent. Ratified by 46 African Union member states, the protocol provides comprehensive protections for women and girls, including safeguards against discrimination, harmful cultural practices, gender-based violence, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation.

The treaty also guarantees women's rights to health, including sexual and reproductive health services.

"It demonstrates that gender equality and women's rights are not foreign concepts imposed on Africa," said communications specialist Famia Nkansa. "African women activists, policymakers, legal experts, and governments played a central role in shaping the protocol."

Yet rights defenders fear that the proposed charter could undermine those achievements by introducing provisions that prioritize state sovereignty, traditional family structures, and cultural values over individual rights and protections.

And Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, described the draft charter as a direct challenge to progress achieved through decades of advocacy and legal reform.

"The regressive draft African Charter on Family Sovereignty and Values is yet another assault on sexual and reproductive health rights and justice, as well as bodily autonomy and human rights in general," she said.

According to Dr. Mofokeng, the draft charter encourages governments to withdraw from evidence-based agreements such as the Maputo Protocol and risks reversing gains made in advancing gender equality and reproductive health across Africa.

She also warned that amid growing global resistance to gender equality and reproductive rights, African governments must resist efforts that seek to weaken established protections.

"Gender justice and human rights to health are not negotiable. They are essential foundations for human development, sustainable peace, and security," she said.

Meanwhile speaking at the same dialogue forum Ms. Sibongile Ndashe, Executive Director of the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA), noted that the draft recognizes family primarily through heterosexual marriage and biological parenthood.

She argued that such a definition could exclude many family structures and create barriers to access services and legal protections.

"The practical implications are profound because family recognition determines access to inheritance, housing, custody, social protection, and legal recognition before the state," Ndashe explained.

She further cautioned that placing family cohesion above individual rights could leave women, children, and vulnerable groups with fewer protections when family structures themselves become sites of abuse, discrimination, or unequal power relations.

Other legal analysts have raised concerns that the draft charter limits recognition of gender diversity and rejects comprehensive sexuality education, which public health experts have linked to improved health outcomes, lower rates of HIV transmission, reduced unintended pregnancies, and lower levels of gender-based violence.

The debate unfolding in Africa mirrors broader global tensions around gender equality and reproductive rights.

Experts say anti-rights movements have gained momentum in various regions, challenging advances in women's rights, sexual and reproductive health, and protections for marginalized communities.

Dr. Pam Rajput, Professor Emeritus at Panjab University in India, warned that setbacks in one region can influence developments elsewhere.

"Patriarchy is transnational and so are anti-rights movements," she said. "The question is not only what this means for Africa but what it means for the future of women's rights everywhere."

She emphasized that human rights cannot be selectively applied based on geography, politics, or cultural interpretation.

The urgency of the debate is heightened by the approaching deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With only 54 months remaining before the 2030 target, advocates say the world is already off track in achieving both SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Instead of accelerating progress, many fear that efforts to weaken existing rights frameworks could slow progress even further.

For supporters of the Maputo Protocol, defending the treaty is not merely about preserving legal commitments—it is about protecting real lives.

Behind every policy debate is a girl seeking education, a woman seeking healthcare, a survivor seeking justice, and communities striving for equality and dignity.

As African governments consider the future of the proposed charter, rights advocates are delivering a clear message: progress achieved through decades of struggle should not be reversed.

For them, the Maputo Protocol remains more than a treaty. It is a symbol of Africa's commitment to gender equality, human dignity, and the right to health for all.

And as the continent confronts new challenges and competing visions for its future, many believe that protecting those gains has never been more important.

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 One in Three Girls Married Too Early: Zambia Urged to Strengthen Community Action

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — At a National Consultation held in Lusaka on June 19, 2026, one message echoed through the meeting hall with urgency and conviction: “The time to act is now.”

Those words, delivered by Dr. Malizgani Paul Chavula, lecturer and researcher in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the University of Zambia, captured the central challenge facing the country’s efforts to protect girls and end child marriage.

                                                         (Dr. Malizgani Paul Chavula)

The consultation, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Government of Zambia, brought together government officials, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and development partners to discuss Life Skills and Health Education, legal reforms, and practical strategies to eliminate child marriage.

In Zambia, “one in three girls is married during adolescence”—a statistic that continues to affect health outcomes, educational attainment, and economic opportunities for young women.

Early pregnancies increase health risks for adolescent girls. School dropout limits future employment opportunities. Social stigma and emotional distress affect mental wellbeing. Poverty deepens as families and communities struggle to break intergenerational cycles of vulnerability.

While Zambia has developed policies and frameworks intended to address child marriage and support adolescent wellbeing, Dr. Chavula cautioned that policy alone cannot transform communities.

“Government interventions are important, but they cannot reach every village or dismantle harmful cultural norms without community ownership,” he said.

Rather than creating entirely new systems, Dr. Chavula called for strengthening and connecting structures that already exist.

He proposed a collaborative approach that links government departments, police Victim Support Units, health facilities, schools, and social welfare services with traditional and religious leadership structures.

According to him, communities themselves hold the power to accelerate change.

“Community leaders carry cultural authority and trust,” Dr. Chavula said. “Their involvement ensures that protective messages are accepted and acted upon immediately.”

His message reflected growing evidence that sustainable social change depends not only on legislation but also on local participation.

At community level, the approach outlined during the consultation focuses on prevention, early intervention, and stronger service delivery.

Religious and traditional leaders were encouraged to guide conversations during ceremonies, family gatherings, and community meetings to challenge harmful practices and support positive social norms.

Peer educators and community volunteers were identified as critical actors who can recognize risks early, intervene before marriages occur, and connect vulnerable girls to healthcare, counseling, education support, and empowerment opportunities.

Local police structures were also highlighted as essential partners in ensuring child protection measures reach communities.

“Local police must coordinate with communities to track cases and ensure service delivery from district to village,” Dr. Chavula said.

He emphasized that protecting children must become a shared responsibility embedded within community life.

The consultation concluded with a clear message: Zambia does not necessarily require more resources to accelerate progress—but stronger collaboration, coordinated service delivery, and meaningful community engagement.

Participants agreed that ending child marriage cannot be achieved by government alone.

It requires families, schools, churches, traditional leaders, health workers, civil society organizations, and young people themselves to work together.

As discussions closed, Dr. Chavula’s words remained central to the conversation.

Ending child marriage, he said, is not merely a policy objective—it is a national responsibility requiring immediate and collective action.

For Zambia, the challenge now is turning commitment into measurable change for the girls whose futures depend on it.