World Vision Zambia, Absa Bank Zambia partner to end child marriages in Zambia
Press Release
World Vision Zambia, Absa Bank Zambia partner to end child marriages in Zambia
For Immediate Release
Monday 31 October 2022, Lusaka, Zambia - World Vision Zambia Limited and Absa Bank Zambia have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the two organisations work jointly in the successful implementation of community activities under the Strong Girls Strong Zambia campaign in Kafue district from 2022 to 2025.
The Strong Girls Strong Zambia campaign is a World Vision Zambia (WVZ) initiative aimed at mobilising local resources to support girls retrieved from child marriage and those at risk.
The goal of the campaign is to reach and empower 15,000 girls retrieved from child marriages and those at risk to live safer, healthier, more productive lives from October 2022 to September 2025.
“Child marriage is a devastating form of child abuse. This practice not only seriously harms the development and well-being of girls through limited education and employment opportunities, social isolation, and domestic violence, exposes girls to sexually transmitted diseases, and further perpetuates generational poverty. It, therefore, excites us as an organisation to have a partner like Absa make this commitment to support the campaign to end child marriage and to see to it that the girl child reaches her full potential.” Says World Vision Zambia Chief Executive Officer John Hasse.
And Absa Bank Zambia CEO Mrs. Mizinga Melu stated that with the rates of child marriages in Zambia currently sitting at 29%, the Strong Girls Strong Zambia campaign is truly a game changer for our vulnerable young girls and the Absa CEO commends World Vision for being bold enough to take on the challenge and committing to building a strong nation, one girl at a time as the campaign slogan states.
“Absa Bank Zambia and World Vision Zambia Limited have been working closely for several years, collaborating on various community initiatives that have gone on to improve the lives of many Zambians in both rural and urban communities. I am proud to announce that following the success of the first MoU and continued commitment to this collaboration, Absa Bank Zambia is committing K900,000 to support the campaign by providing practical and sustainable solutions, which include the provision of bicycles to female pupils who currently walk long distances to school, the provision of educational materials as well as supporting the construction of an ablution block at Chipapa Primary School. As a Bank, we remain steadfast and resolute in our commitment to bringing possibilities to life for the people in our communities.” Says Mrs Melu.
Through this MoU, Absa and World Vision commit to collaborate in the successful implementation of campaign activities which will include the construction of an ablution block at Chipapa primary school where funding with Absa will be merged with other resources from Ngalitas Hardware, Telefonka and Workers Compensation Fund Control Board in year one of implementation, provision of bicycles to female pupils who walk long distances to school in year two and provision of other educational materials in year three
Absa commits to supporting the activities with funding of K900,000 to be paid over the three-year period in equal amounts.
These projects will contribute to improved pupils' health, sanitation, and hygiene and provide a conducive learning environment that will keep girls in school by 2025.
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For further details contact:
World Vision Zambia
Tigana Chileshe
Communications Manager
World Vision Zambia
P.O. Box 31083, Great East Road, Lusaka
Mobile: +26 0975043127
email : tigana_chileshe@wvi.org
Absa Bank Zambia Plc
Ndela Sichizya
Marketing and Communications Manager
Absa Bank Zambia PLC
Kafue House, 2nd Floor, Cairo Road
P.O. Box 31936
Lusaka
Telephone +260 (211) 430 614
Email: Ndela.Sichizya@absa.africa
About World Vision Zambia
World Vision began working in Zambia in 1981 with three community development projects in Northern Lusaka. Today, World Vision Zambia Limited (WVZL) works in over 50 districts across 9 provinces to serve vulnerable children and communities in the country. Through Area Programmes (AP) and grant projects, WVZL focuses on key areas of education, health, livelihood, water and sanitation, child protection and spiritual nurture. Children are at the heart of our work. With a workforce of over 500 professional staff and an annual budget of approximately US$40 million, WVZL works closely with communities, partners, and the Government of the Republic of Zambia to ensure vulnerable children live life in all of its fullness.
For more details about World Vision Zambia Limited, visit (https://www.worldvision.co.zm/ , htps://www.wvi.org/zambia)
About Absa Bank Zambia Plc
Absa Bank Zambia PLC is one of Zambia’s leading financial institutions offering an integrated set of products and services across Corporate and Investment Banking, Business Banking with solutions for SMEs, and Retail Banking. Absa Bank Zambia PLC is part of Absa Group Limited, one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups. The Group has a presence in 12 African countries and representative offices in London and New York. Absa is a truly African brand with global reach, inspired by the people we serve and driven by our purpose of bringing possibility to life.
For more about Absa Bank Zambia PLC, its products and services, visit www.absa.co.zm