Zambian Democracy Gets a Boost

.. SIDA and ActionAid Zambia Partner to Implement €66 Million Initiative to Strengthen Civil Society, Governance, and Human Rights

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (03-07-2024) — The Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and ActionAid Zambia have initiated a new four-year partnership to strengthen civil society’s role in advancing good governance and human rights in Zambia. This agreement, valued at nearly 66 million Swedish Krona (approximately 150 million ZMW), was signed at a ceremony attended by representatives from both organizations.

Ms. Susanna Hughes, the Acting Ambassador and Head of Development Cooperation, told journalists during the signing ceremony that the initiative reaffirms Sweden’s commitment to fostering a vibrant civil society and ensuring the rights and freedoms of all Zambians are upheld.

“This signing ceremony marks the first agreement under Sweden’s new strategy for development cooperation with Zambia for 2024-2028,” Ms. Hughes announced.

“The project underscores the importance Sweden attaches to civil society’s role in strengthening governance and respecting human rights.”

The new strategy aims to increase democratic space for civil society and promote citizens’ ability to demand accountability, with a focus on enhancing youth participation in political processes and safeguarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Ms. Hughes acknowledged Zambia’s progress in increasing civic space but stressed the need for further efforts to consolidate these gains and strengthen democracy.

“For democracy to deepen, ordinary people need to know their rights and demand them, and more women and youth should be included in decision-making processes at all levels,” she said.

The agreement will support the “Strengthening Civil Society’s Effectiveness in Promoting Good Governance and Increasing Citizens’ Awareness and Demand for Human Rights” project.

ActionAid Zambia will extend institutional capacity building and financial support through sub-granting to various civil society organizations (CSOs), including social movements and community-based organizations.

Key objectives include enhancing civic participation, advocating for free and fair elections, promoting accountability, and advancing women’s and youth rights in the extractive industry.

Ms. Hughes emphasized Sweden’s pride in the partnership’s achievements thus far and expressed optimism for future results.

“Building on lessons learned from the previous phase, we are hopeful that our continued support will enable us to deliver impactful results going forward,” she stated.

The agreement also includes increased support for youth work through the Global Platform Zambia, providing a safe space for young people to engage in governance.

“There is a need to build a strong generation who are confident and aware of their rights,” Ms. Hughes noted, highlighting the project’s role in ensuring CSO participation in the electoral process and monitoring upcoming elections.

Ms. Hughes concluded by welcoming Ms. Faides Temba-Tema as the new Country Director of ActionAid Zambia and congratulating the organization for its hard work during the previous phase.

“I hope more CSOs, community-based organizations, and social movements will tap into this support and work across the country for the benefit of all Zambians,” she said.

Speaking at the same occasion, Pamela Sibanda, ActionAid Board Chairperson, expressed her delight on behalf of ActionAid, highlighting the long-standing relationship with the Swedish people through their embassy in Lusaka.

“Today’s meeting is a joint affirmation of the growth of democracy in Zambia and our wish for a better tomorrow for the people, especially women and young people, who remain more vulnerable,” she stated.

The newly signed project, titled “Strengthening Civil Society Effectiveness in Good Governance and Increasing Citizens’ Awareness & Demand for Human Rights in Zambia Phase-II,” aims to increase citizens’ awareness and demand for human rights over the next four years.

Sibanda emphasized the critical role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in building mechanisms for checks and balances on duty bearers.

“Strengthening citizens’ demand for human rights is crucial now as they remain pivotal in sustaining mechanisms that can offer checks and balances to duty bearers,” she noted.

Sibanda called for adequate support to CSOs to enhance accountability and transparency among duty bearers, urging a proactive and united approach among CSOs to address the many needs facing the Zambian people.

She also pointed to ActionAid’s commitment to promoting youth interests through initiatives such as the Global Platform Zambia, a youth-dedicated hub located near the University of Zambia.

“We have hope in the youths, and our commitment to their plight and rights is uncompromising,” she affirmed.

The Phase-II project also aims to strengthen the connection between CSOs and Zambia’s governance system, promote electoral accountability, and ensure that the 2026 elections are conducted in a fair environment free from corruption and human rights abuses.

Sibanda stressed the importance of early engagement in the electoral process, stating, “The electoral process starts now and not on polling day.”

Sibanda thanked the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka, particularly Ambassador Johan Borgstam and his team, for their dedication and commitment to the partnership.

She called on all stakeholders to set up sustainable interventions that will outlast the project’s four-year span, symbolizing a commitment to long-term positive change in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Kabinga Musonda, the Programs and Policy Coordinator, presented a comprehensive overview of a new project aimed at enhancing civil society, promoting good governance, and increasing citizens’ awareness and demands for human rights. The presentation outlined four main objectives critical to achieving the project’s goals.

Musonda explained that the project focuses on strengthening civil society, promoting good governance, and increasing citizens’ awareness and demands for human rights.

The four key objectives of the project are accountability, advocacy for women’s and youth rights, sexual and reproductive health rights, and computational capacity.

Musonda emphasized the importance of enhancing accountability, referencing an earlier illustration that highlighted this point.

The project will advocate for the protection of women’s and young people’s rights within the extraction industry.

“This includes promoting effectiveness and improving governance in natural resource management,” he explained.

A significant focus will also be on improving sexual and reproductive health rights. Additionally, the project aims to increase computational capacity, raising awareness and improving knowledge among citizens.

Musonda stressed the importance of centering the project around a human rights approach.

“This will involve supporting knowledge and skills development among civil society organizations (CSOs),” he explained.

The project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and other transformational and social development frameworks.

Musonda noted that the project’s objectives support national processes and priorities.

The project, which is a continuation of Phase One, involves a budget of approximately $105 million, with about $40 million allocated for specific activities.

He explained that the project’s strategic approach and substantial funding aim to make significant strides in promoting human rights and good governance, ultimately benefiting the broader society.