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Zambia

Published 1/11/2010 | Updated 2/15/2011

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In Zambia RFSU works with the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ), an organization that aims to increase the availability of sexuality education and youth clinics in southern Zambia. They will do this, in part, in cooperation with the Youth vision of Zambia (YVZ), which works to provide sexuality education to young people in and outside of school, as well as to teachers and parents. YVZ also works with male involvement issues and peer educators. Moreover, PPAZ will work with providing information and health services to youth who are living with HIV and AIDS.

PPAZ also wishes to include safe abortions among its services. Zambia is one of the few countries in Africa that has abortion legislation that could ensure women access to safe abortion. The law has existed since 1972, but has never been realised because women and healthcare workers have been unable to utilise the law in practice. This has resulted many women subjecting themselves to unsafe abortions, leading to unnecessary deaths as a result. PPAZ’s aim is to educate their staff and eventually make safe abortions available at their clinics in Zambia.

YVZ plans to advocate and demand the spread of information to women concerning the Zambian abortion legislation. Furthermore, they will advocate the availability of abortion services. They also plan to advocate the introduction of medical abortions and the wider availability of contraceptives. Youth Vision Zambia is also working to reduce the incidence of sexual and gender-based violence by raising awareness among both men and women about the consequences of gender-based violence.

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) will, in collaboration with RFSU, strengthen the availability and quality of health services, especially targeting survivors of sexual violence. The YWCA will also continue its work to reduce violence against women.

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