By Honester Mshoka
Kafue Member of Parliament MIRRIAM CHONYA has called for more community-led initiatives that promote youth empowerment.
Ms. CHONYA states that such initiatives could play a pivotal role in advancing food sovereignty through locally driven production systems, which are vital pathways for reducing poverty and inequality, particularly in rural areas.
She said this during a meeting with the Adventist Development Relief Agency -ADRA, held alongside the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women -CSW70- in New York.
Ms. CHONYA explained the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing Zambia’s development agenda.
She said increased investment in agriculture, water resource management, and rural electrification is key to unlocking the country’s economic potential.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, CHOLA MILAMBO, stressed the need to leverage Zambia’s presence at the UN to foster partnerships, secure resources, and gain technical expertise.
Dr. MILAMBO noted that global platforms such as CSW70 offer an ideal opportunity to position Zambia as a credible partner, showcasing scalable initiatives in areas like food systems transformation, health security, and social protection.
IMAD MADANAT, ADRA’s Vice President for Humanitarian Affairs and Excellence, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s transition from aid dependency to sustainable, locally driven development models.
He saidADRA’s ongoing programmes in food sovereignty, school feeding, and community resilience have the potential for expansion through stronger partnerships.
ADRA’s Director for the UN Liaison Office, AKINTAYO ODEYEMI, added that better coordination would enable the scaling of successful interventions in Zambia and across the region.
The CSW70 session concluded on March 19th, with Member States adopting Agreed Conclusions aimed at strengthening access to justice for women and girls.
This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC News by the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the UN First Secretary for Press and Public Relations, NAMATAMA NJEKWA.
