Govt calls for equal protection of boy, girl child
By Mast Reporter
GOVERNMENT has called for equal protection and empowerment of the boy child alongside the girl child as Zambia commemorates the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child.
Speaking during the national commemoration in Central Province, Deputy Permanent Secretary Godfrey Chitambala urged stakeholders to ensure that both girls and boys are protected, nurtured, and given equal opportunities to thrive.
The event, organised under the global theme “The Girl I Am: The Change I Lead,” brought together government officials, civil society organisations, and community members to reflect on progress made in advancing girls’ rights and to renew commitments to gender equality.
Chitambala said while the day celebrated the achievements and potential of girls as innovators, peacebuilders, and defenders of human rights, it was equally important to address the challenges faced by boys.
“Boys, like girls, face serious challenges including exploitation, neglect and abuse, often at the hands of those they trust,” he said. “Government remains committed to protecting all children through various initiatives and legal frameworks.”
He cited the ratification of key international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, along with the enactment of the Children’s Code Act of 2022, as part of efforts to safeguard children’s rights.
Chitambala further highlighted the free education policy as a crucial measure to ensure no child is left behind due to financial constraints.
He said government was strengthening child protection mechanisms through specialised police units, increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations for child-focused programmes, and initiatives aimed at amplifying children’s voices in governance.
He appealed to all stakeholders to work together to create a safe and supportive environment where every child, regardless of gender, can grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Speaking on behalf of the girls, Beatrice Chululuka acknowledged the immense potential within each girl and thanked the government and its partners for their continued efforts to empower young people.
Chululuka underscored the importance of valuing both girls’ and boys’ voices, noting that unity and inclusion were key to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for every child to achieve their dreams.
She encouraged girls across the country to recognise their strength, embrace their identity, and live with confidence.
ChildFund Zambia Communications Specialist Priscilla Chama-Mpengula said in a statement that ChildFund was among the organising partners supporting government to create a platform where girls could express themselves and participate in national dialogue.
The International Day of the Girl Child, marked annually on October 11, celebrates the resilience of girls worldwide and calls for collective action to promote equality, education, and empowerment for all children.
