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The Zambian government, in partnership with Oxfam and other stakeholders, has launched the US$30 million Comprehensive Health Options through Innovative Community Engagement (CHOICE) programme, aimed at improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes in the country.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the seven-year programme (2025–2031) will be implemented in four districts: Chisamba and Chibombo in Central Province, and Itezhi-Tezhi and Namwala in Southern Province.
Speaking at the launch in Lusaka on Tuesday at the Intercontinental Hotel, Oxfam Country Focal Point Chitimbwa Chifunda said the programme would focus on enhancing bodily autonomy, reducing harmful social norms, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health services.
“The initiative focuses on enhancing bodily autonomy and agency, reducing harmful social norms, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality SRH services,” Chifunda said.
She added that the CHOICE programme was expected to contribute to the reduction of teenage pregnancies, HIV infections, and maternal mortality in the target districts.
Dr. Matilda Simpungwe, Director for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the urgent need for accessible sexual and reproductive health services, noting alarming rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents and young women.
Citing the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2024, she said Southern Province had a teenage pregnancy rate of 27.2 percent, second only to Eastern Province at 33 percent, while Central Province stands at 23.1 percent.
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“This demographic also contributes to new HIV infections, which totaled 30,000 last year, as well as maternal mortality,” Simpungwe said.
At the launch, Corry van Gaal, Head of Office at the Canadian High Commission, reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s health sector.
“The CHOICE programme is a gender-transformative initiative aimed at increasing bodily autonomy, agency, and enjoyment of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for those experiencing poverty, marginalisation, and vulnerability, particularly women, girls, and adolescents,” van Gaal said.
The programme will be implemented in collaboration with local authorities, community organisations, and other stakeholders, including the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ), Southern Africa AIDS Dissemination Services (SAFAIDS), Young Women’s Christian Association of Zambia (YWCA), and Women and Law in Development in Africa (WILDAF).
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