Opening Ceremony of the Women's Centre in Kapiri Mposhi District, Central Province, Zambia

 On 18th January 2024,  Mr. OMINATO Satoshi, Deputy Chief of Mission, attended the opening ceremony of the Women’s Centre built in Luanshimba, Kapiri Mposhi District, Central Province. Construction of this Centre was funded by the “Grant Assistance for the Japanese NGO Projects” for the project “Community Empowerment to Combat Gender Based Violence (GBV) Project”.
The ceremony was attended by more than 500 people, including Mr. Godfrey Chitambala, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Central Province, Dr. Elijah Mutoloki, Provincial Health Director of Central Province, Ms. KATSUBE Mayumi, Chairperson of the Japanese Organisation for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) and Mrs. Getrude Sijabala, National Executive Committee Member of the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ).
 
In Zambia, 36% of women aged 15-49 and 47% of married women have experienced sexual or psychological violence from a spouse or partner, resulting in a social problem.
The importance of achieving gender equality is recognised globally as is established as Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) reaffirmed the importance of supporting gender equality.
 
In view of this situation, since March 2023, under a grant contract between them, JOICEP and the Government of Japan have supported activities such as gender equality awareness-raising education and the establishment of a support system for GBV survivors with funding of approximately 600,000 US dollars in the initial year. The newly completed Women's Centre provides a safe haven for GBV survivors, where they can receive counselling, health services and vocational training such as sewing.
 
During the ceremony, Mr. Ominato mentioned that with the opening of this Centre, the beneficiaries' knowledge and understanding of what GBV is and what to do if they are affected has deepened and that it will be able to deliver the support they need. He also noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Zambia, and wished that this project would play an important role in strengthening the long-standing bilateral ties and that the Women's Centre would become a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
 
The Government of Japan will continue to contribute to gender equality in various ways, including funding this project.
 
To read the speech by the Deputy Chief of Mission, please click here.