Group calls for policy alignment to improve access to health, curb teenage pregnancies in Zambia

Amref Health Africa in Zambia has called for harmonisation of policies and laws to improve access to health services for adolescents and young people, and reduce teenage pregnancies.

Country Manager, Viviane Rutagwera-Sakanga, said teenage pregnancy remained high at about 28 percent, stressing that policy alignment was essential to create an enabling environment for reproductive health and rights.

She was speaking during the presentation of the Policy Advocacy Brief Dissemination and Stakeholder Dialogue on Reproductive Health and Rights at Grand Palace Hotel in Lusaka on Wednesday.

Sakanga said improving the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents was critical to building a strong and resilient nation.

“This Policy Advocacy Brief offers us a clear picture of where we stand as a country — what is working well, where the gaps remain, and what must change,” she said.

The brief highlights the need for stronger coordination, sustainable financing for sexual and reproductive health services, and multisectoral action on teenage pregnancy, access to information and quality adolescent health care.

“As partners, each one of us has a vital role to play. Parliament, government ministries, civil society, youth-led organisations and communities all hold essential pieces of the solution,” Sakanga said.

She also emphasised sustainable resource mobilisation, particularly domestic funding, to improve outcomes for women, adolescents and young people.

Sakanga noted that maternal mortality remained relatively high at 187 per 100,000 live births and said continued collaboration is vital.

The meeting builds on work carried out in recent months under the Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan, with support from the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.