As the clock strikes 10am, villagers gather beneath the sprawling shade of a massive tree adjacent a football ground in the vibrant village of Labwe, nestled within Chieftainess Mwasemphangwe’s Chiefdom, in Lumezi District of Eastern Province. Here, they wait in anticipation as the village drama group prepares to showcase its latest theatrical production, a cherished tradition that has captivated the community.
Amidst thunderous laughter and cheers, drama group makes its way to the makeshift stage in the center of the gathering. More than mere entertainment, these monthly village gatherings mark the “community dialogue meetings” held to discuss and address harmful social and cultural norms influencing adolescent pregnancy.
Challenging Negative Social Norms, Cultivating Change
At the center of the gathering is Lindstone Mtonga, fondly known as ‘Magalasi,’ the esteemed headman of the village, and Standwell Banda, an Induna and Secretary to the Chieftainess. Among the most influential leaders in their communities, the two men regularly facilitate dialogues across the village, igniting conversations and driving change.
"We've witnessed too many young lives derailed by adolescent pregnancies," remarks Standwell Banda. "That is not the future we envision for our children. We strive for a community where our children’s potential blossoms, unencumbered by early parenthood, child marriage or harmful behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption".
Since 2021, large strides have been made towards curbing teenage pregnancy and child marriage in the village. Magalasi and Banda are determined to get the number to zero. "With support from UNFPA and the Government of Sweden, and working closely with YWCA, we're committed to eliminating this development challenge," Magalasi asserts. "Even one teenage pregnancy is one too many."
We are not forsaking our culture; we are changing those practices that are harmful to young peoples’ health and development.
The dialogue meetings dissect entrenched social norms and cultural practices, often challenging age-old customs. "Change isn't instantaneous," admits Magalasi. "It's a gradual process of enlightenment and understanding. We always emphasis that we are not forsaking our culture; we are changing those practices that are harmful to young peoples’ health and development. For example, we don’t discourage our adolescents from seeking advice from the elders about puberty and adulthood, but we emphasis that they should learn age appropriate lessons".
Zambia’s teenage pregnancy rate remains significantly high among Sub-Saharan countries, with 29% of girls having been pregnant or had a child by the age of 18. The prevalence is significantly higher in rural areas (37%) compared to urban areas (19%). At community level, this underscores the urgency of Magalasi and Banda’s mission “Without intervention, adolescent pregnancies perpetuate cycles of poverty and gender inequality, particularly in rural areas where several cultural and social norms continue to act as key drivers for adolescent pregnancy and child marriage,” Says Magalasi.
About the GAPS Programme
With funding support from the Government of Sweden, UNFPA and its partners are implementing the Gender, Adolescent Pregnancy and Social Norms (GAPS) Programme in Petauke, Lumezi and Katete Districta of Eastern Province; and Monze, Gwembe and Sinazongwe Districta of Southern Province. The programme has an ambitious goal of reducing adolescent pregnancy by 5% in Eastern and Southern Provinces by 2024, by addressing gender and social norms. Using a socio-ecological model approach, the GAPS programme champions community-driven initiatives, recognizing traditional leaders as champions in effecting lasting change.
In the heartlands of Zambia, such as Labwe village of Eastern Province, hope ignites towards getting to zero adolescent pregnancies, heralding a future where every adolescent girl thrives.
