Kapasa Makasa students sensitised on GBV, economic empowerment

The Gender Division in Muchinga Province has conducted a one-day sensitisation programme for students at Kapasa Makasa University in Chinsali District on economic empowerment and gender-based violence (GBV). Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Brian Sichande, who…

The Gender Division in Muchinga Province has conducted a one-day sensitisation programme for students at Kapasa Makasa University in Chinsali District on economic empowerment and gender-based violence (GBV).

Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Brian Sichande, who officially opened the engagement, said government remained committed to continuously engaging young people on issues critical to national development, including GBV and economic empowerment.

Mr Sichande said the programme had come at an opportune time when government was placing emphasis on human capital development, economic empowerment, skills development, gender equality and the prevention of GBV.

He said the participation of young people in such programmes was vital because they constituted a significant proportion of the country’s population and were an important resource for social and economic development.

Mr Sichande said economic empowerment was fundamental to enabling individuals and communities to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to national development.

He said economic and social development could not be fully attained while GBV continued to affect individuals, families and communities.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary stressed the need to equip young people, particularly students in higher learning institutions, with knowledge on GBV prevention, available reporting mechanisms, referral pathways and survivor support services.

Meanwhile, Kapasa Makasa University Deputy Registrar Lillian Mukuka, speaking on behalf of university management, commended the initiative to equip students with knowledge on economic empowerment, capacity building and GBV.

Ms Mukuka said the knowledge and skills were important not only to students but also to their roles as members of the wider community and society.

She said capacity-building skills were essential to the development of all people, particularly young people.

Ms Mukuka said the knowledge acquired through the programme would enable students to better understand and critically assess situations in their lives compared to those who had not benefited from similar sensitisation programmes.

Meanwhile, students at Kapasa Makasa University welcomed the programme, describing it as important to their well-being in a rapidly developing country such as Zambia.

Emmanuel Tembo, a fourth-year Animal Science student who delivered the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the Gender Division in Muchinga Province for organising what he described as a timely and impactful programme.