Faith Leaders: Catalysts of Child Protection Programmes of World Vision Zambia

UNICEF reported that "among young people aged 18-24 years in Zambia, 20% of women and 10% of men reported experiencing sexual violence before they were 18 years of age, while 34% of women and 40% of men reported experiencing physical violence. In addition, an estimated 1.3 million children aged 5-14 years are engaged in child labour, reinforcing the inter-generational poverty cycle, which undermines the national economy and impedes progress. Reducing these figures require consented efforts from all stakeholders, including faith-based organizations. Therefore, the involvement of faith leaders in awareness-raising on child protection and support for children to prevent and report violence against children, including corporal punishment, early marriage etc., is very critical to curbing high levels of violence against children