In line with Zambia’s Vision 2030 and the 7th National Development Plan, the Government of Zambia has continued to prioritize key actions towards sustainable development, a process which has recognized the central role of quality and accurate disaggregated data to drive this agenda.
To support ongoing national actions in this regard, the Ministry of National Development Planning, with technical and financial support from UNFPA and UNICEF has generated a sub-national analysis report of key development indicators, drilled down to the lowest geographic boundary i.e. constituency and ward levels.
The report was generated using a combination of census and survey information, aimed at facilitating more agile, efficient and evidence based decision making and resource allocation, thus fostering inclusive development.
Acknowledging the role of Parliamentarians as powerful change agents in development, though their 4-prong legislative, budgetary, oversight and accountability, and representation roles, the Ministry of National Development Planning in collaboration with UNFPA facilitated a strategic engagement with Members of Parliament to disseminate the sub-national analysis report.
Speaking as he officiated the dissemination meeting with Members of Parliament, Second Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Mr. Mwimba Malama underscored the significance of the report in promoting inclusive and sustainable development at both national and sub-national level.
“Armed with this knowledge, Parliamentarians will be able to advocate for targeted interventions and public expenditure, thereby reaching those who are furthest behind,” Hon. Malama highlighted.
Underscoring the critical role of Parliament in sustainable development, Permanent Secretary in the Ministery of National Development Planning Mr. Chola Chabala informed Members of Parliament that the information provided in the report provides the evidence required to develop and monitor effective development policies.
“As a Ministry, we are pleased to note that Zambia is among the first countries in the African region to have undertaken such an analysis. The report highlights where resources are most needed, and provides the means to track progress and assess the impact of policies in every constituency and ward” Mr Chabala said.
Also speaking at the dissemination meeting, UNFPA Representative Ms. Gift Malunga highlighted that the implementation of the 7th National Development Plan can only be fully achieved if Members of Parliament are equipped with the relevant information and statistics they require to inform the formulation of policies, accountability in policy implementation, as well as budgetary allocations and spending.
“We at the United Nations in Zambia believe that development can only be sustainable if it responds to the needs of citizens and that in order to fully understand these needs, we need to know key characteristics of the population. As Zambia joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the resulting global consensus that investing in individual human rights, capabilities and dignity is the foundation of sustainable development, the United Nations in Zambia reaffirms its commitment to sustain our support towards availability of disaggregated socio-economic data to inform national development” Ms. Malunga said.
