Government Calls for Collective Action Against GBV

**Government Urges United Front Against Youth Vulnerabilities in Chadiza** **CHADIZA, Eastern Province** – The Zambian government has sounded a clarion call for collective action to vigorously tackle the pervasive issues of teenage pregnancy, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and substance abuse afflicting young people in Chadiza District. The urgent appeal was made during a recent Adolescent Health Agenda event, underscoring the critical importance of a multi-sectoral approach to protect the nation's youth and ensure their healthy development. This initiative reflects a growing recognition within government circles of the severe socio-economic repercussions these challenges pose to both individuals and national progress. These issues are not new to Zambia, where adolescent health remains a priority due to the significant demographic dividend opportunity. Teenage pregnancies, for instance, continue to be a stubborn challenge, with rates as high as 29% among girls under 18 nationally, and even higher in rural areas like Chadiza, where 37% of rural girls become pregnant before adulthood. Such early pregnancies often lead to school dropouts, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting future prospects for young girls. Similarly, GBV is widespread across Zambia, affecting women, men, girls, and boys, with factors like economic hardship, unequal power relations, and harmful traditional practices contributing to its prevalence. Substance abuse further exacerbates these vulnerabilities, often acting as a significant risk factor for GBV and contributing to mental health crises among the youth. The government's renewed focus on Chadiza District is particularly pertinent, given that Eastern Province has historically faced high rates of teenage pregnancies and child marriages. Efforts by traditional leaders and organisations like Plan International Zambia have previously shown that community-led by-laws and sensitisation campaigns can yield positive results in reducing these sta