ECD/HIV IN ZAMBIA Presentation at the Regional Workshop on ECD/HIV Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 14 April 2004

BACKGROUND Area size:752,612 km 2 9 provinces; 72 districts Population: 10.9 m Population density: years:52% Life expectancy:47 yrs Literacy rate: 60.6% Ratified CRC 1991

BACKGROUND contd BACKGROUND contd Poverty levels73% –Males 72% –Females 78% Mortality –IMR per 1,000 live births 95 –U5MR per 1,000 live births168 –MMR per 100,000 live births729

BACKGROUND contd 1 GRZ inherited good ECD infrastructure in the mining areas (urban areas) In most communities family was core of ECD activities Socio-economic problems eroded these activities: –migration rural-urban –HIV/AIDS

BACKGROUND contd 2 –Retrenchment –High rate of urbanisation –Increase in number of orphans in a society with a decreasing extended family support

HIV Prevalence,Ages 15 to Luapula Northern Eastern North-Western Central Copperbelt Lusaka 13% Western Southern 18% 22% 9% 20% 11% 8% 14% 15% Male 13%, Female 18% Urban 25% Rural 13% Overall 16%

Estimated HIV Prevalence, Annual AIDS Deaths and AIDS Orphans, Zambia

Estimated Total Orphans,Zambia

Estimated Maternal, Paternal and Dual Orphans, Zambia

PROGRAMMES ADDRESSING ECD ECD programs in Zambia are segmented with various ministries & stakeholders focusing on different aspects of ECD –MOH focuses on child health (0 - 14y)with emphasis on the under-five (EPI, IMCI, nutrition) –MOE focuses on curriculum development & capacity building for pre-school (3-6y) –M. Local government: Administration of the Nursery Act

MSYCD coordination, monitoring & advocacy on Child Welfare & Development programs, including OVC programs MOHA - protection & re-enforcement of legislation MCDSS administers Acts pertaining to children Some NGOs (International & local) – supplement governments effort

CONSTRAINTS Outdated legal & policy frameworks Economic constraints - inadequate funding to key programs addressing ECD HIV/AIDS Lack of focus on ECD in the HIV/AIDS program Non-integration of some HIV/AIDS interventions into ECD activities Limited social welfare services (child protection)

CONSTRAINTS contd Poor access to quality health services Poor coordinating mechanism among key stakeholders High attrition of skilled human resource Poor Management Information System Lack of awareness on the stages of child development Lack of common understanding about ECD (even among professionals)

OPPORTUNITIES Presence of variable stakeholders Political commitment Enabling environment Community good will towards child programs Funding opportunities: GRZ, MAP, GF In 2004, GRZ is reviewing policies including National Child Policy

WAY FORWARD Advocacy Review of policies & legal framework Development of a collaboration mechanism for key stakeholders Development of Management of Information System Capacity building at all levels Develop & review curriculum materials for care givers & teacher training colleges Pilot Early Childhood Care, Education & Development (ECCED) in selected government schools

TWATASHA, ZIKOMO THANKYOU, for your attention