Sexual and gender-based violence amongst young women and girls

Over the years, garden compound has recorded a number of cases pertaining to sexual and gender based violence. Statistics have shown that the most affected are married women and young girls in the ranges of 12-25. This has increased the number of early and unwanted pregnancies as well as contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Sexual and gender based violence has therefore persisted in a vulnerable community like garden compound, exacerbated poverty, conflicts and social norms, where particularly girls and women face heightened risks. In Garden compound of Lusaka, Sexual and Gender Based Violence has increased by 30% since 2022.

Garden Compound is a densely populated Urban settlement with approximately 40,000-60,000 residents and from the report done by Zambia Demographic Health Survey, 2018 in the Garden compound perspective, 1 in 5 women experience sexual violence. And another survey by UNICEF 2020 states that 44% of girls aged 15-19 experience physical or sexual violence in garden compound.

As Dzuka Cholinga youth Zambia, one of the interventions that have been  taken into consideration Is investing in Sexual and reproductive Health as one of the organizations thematic area. This has forstered youth-led advocacy campaigns. One of the campaign includes the 16 days of Activism with Action Aid through the global platform, where Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia has immensely contributed in raising awareness to the young people of Garden compound.

Capacity building has been provided for young girls in Garden compound, this has been made possible through the Youth Power Project thus promoting the ESA Commitments. A number of young people in the the community have then been informed about the ministerial commitments like the Maputo Plan of Action and the Abujah Declaration.

With the help of Capital FM 99.7 radio one of  the young girls from Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia has been able to provide a platform for members of the community to raise awareness as well as establish a favourable space for reporting similar cases by hosting  a show called the Diary of a Teen that focuses on empowering young women giving them an opportunity to find their voices. These includes woman who have been victimized by teenage pregnancy and early parenting.

Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia has equally worked with ZAGO in providing capacity building trainings, giving a platform for young women and girls to provide substancial reports that they ought to see being advocated for.

One of the youth led initiatives has been the community meetings every Saturday at the Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia Center. This has allowed young women and girls to build their capacity as well as seek favorable opportunities for themselves. Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia’s office is open to respond to most burning issues affecting the young women and girls from garden compound.

The community is currently working with the local authorities, thus includes a personal relationship development with the area councilor.

There has equally been collaborated partnerships with community based organizations and movements.

Sexual and gender based violence still remains a huge challenge to the community and exacerbates the development mitigation measures.