Opening Ceremony of the Mutaba GBV One-Stop Centre in Kapiri Mposhi District, Central Province, Zambia
2025/4/14
On 11th April 2025, Ms. OZAWA Nobue, Head of Economic Affairs and Development Assistance at the Embassy of Japan attended the opening ceremony of the GBV One-Stop Centre, built in Mutaba, Kapiri Mposhi District, Central Province. This Centre was constructed under the project “Promotion of GBV Prevention and Care through Community Empowerment”, which was implemented by a Japanese NGO, JOICFP (Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning), funded by the “Grant Assistance for the Japanese NGO Projects”.
The ceremony was attended by Ms. Mainga Kavika, Permanent Secretary, Office of President, Cabinet Office, Gender Division; Mr. Francis Hasalama, District Commissioner, Kapiri Mposhi District, Mr. Brilliant Munyeke, Council Chairperson, Kapiri Mposhi District, Ms. Sampa Mwanza, Member of the National Executive Committee of PPAZ, Ms. Etsuko Yamaguchi, Executive Director of JOICFP and many local residents who will benefit from the project.
In Zambia, 36% of women aged 15 to 49, and 47% of married women, have experienced sexual or emotional violence from their spouses or partners, causing a serious social issue. Gender equality is recognised globally under Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) also identifies the prevention and response to GBV as key priorities.
In light of these circumstances, JOICFP began this three-year initiative in 2023 under a grant agreement with the Government of Japan. Over the past two years, with approximately 1.1 million US dollars of funding from the Government of Japan, the project has provided awareness-raising on gender equality and developed support systems related to GBV in the communities.
The newly completed Mutaba GBV One-Stop Centre offers a safe space for GBV survivors, where they can access counselling and healthcare services under one roof.
In her remarks, Ms. Ozawa congratulated the opening of the GBV One-Stop Centre,highlighted the importance of promoting male engagement and supporting the economic independence of survivors, and expressed the intention to continue expanding support to reach more communities. She also noted that last year marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Zambia, and expressed her hope that this project would further deepen the partnership and friendship between the two countries as they enter another new phase of cooperation.
To read the speech by the Ms. Ozawa, please click here.