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On 12 December 2024, under the auspices of the PMNCH Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan (CAAP) initiative, Amref Health Zambia organized the first coalition meeting to advocate for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (WCAH). The event brought together a dynamic multi-sectoral and multi-constituency audience, showcasing the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The meeting was not only an occasion to amplify national commitments to WCAH but also an opportunity to address critical gaps in advocacy, capacity, and equity in Zambia. High-level representation from the Ministry of Health, civil society, academia, and community-based organizations underscored the broad engagement essential for driving transformative health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents.
Identifying gaps and strengthening capacity
The meeting highlighted the urgent need to empower adolescents and young people to advocate for their health rights and needs. Adolescents face significant barriers in engaging effectively with national policies, strategies, and plans. Participants called for sustainable capacity-strengthening programs, which would enable young people to articulate their needs and ensure their inclusion in health policymaking and beyond.
Civil society also emphasized the importance of evidence-based advocacy. Strengthening their ability to use data tools and socio-economic indicators effectively was identified as a cornerstone for successful engagement with policymakers. The event showcased a collaboration between academia and civil society as a best practice, illustrating how joint efforts can amplify advocacy through a robust evidence base.
Breaking down barriers
Participants discussed the substantial barriers faced by marginalized populations in accessing their rights and participating in national processes. Challenges ranged from the lack of awareness about existing commitments to disparities between urban and rural areas. These challenges are compounded by sociocultural norms that inhibit progress in women's and adolescents’ health.
Participants emphasized the need for community-focused advocacy that prioritizes education, gender equality, and broader human development. Tailoring communication strategies to resonate with diverse audiences emerged as a key takeaway for organizations driving the agenda forward.
A unified voice for change
We need to amplify our voices for more effective advocacy and accountability towards decision makers
This first CAAP meeting in Zambia underscored the need for stronger, unified advocacy to address the challenges and barriers that stand in the way of accelerated progress and change. By amplifying its collective voice, the coalition aims to enhance accountability towards decision makers and accelerate progress on Zambia’s health commitments.
Next steps
Existing efforts, such as health education to address teenage pregnancies and child rights promotion through accessible media, provided a strong foundation for the coalition’s work. The meeting concluded with actionable outcomes that will shape Zambia’s advocacy landscape:
Scoping and prioritizing commitments: Identifying actionable advocacy priorities to translate commitments into tangible results.
Enhanced collaboration: Leveraging the CAAP initiative to foster partnerships and meaningful engagement across sectors and constituencies for coordinated advocacy.
Capacity strengthening: Establishing long-term strategies to empower young people, civil society, and marginalized groups.
Community focus: Expanding efforts to reach rural and underserved areas, while addressing the root causes of health disparities within the country.
This landmark event sets the stage for meaningful progress, ensuring that the health of Zambia’s women, children, and adolescents is at the forefront of national development efforts. Through the CAAP initiative, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to turning promises into actions and ensuring that all women, children and adolescents live a life they have reason to value.