Zambia records gains in reproductive health

ZAMBIA has recorded progress in sexual and reproductive health, with demand for family planning satisfied by modern methods rising from 19.6 percent in 1992 to 73.9 percent in 2024.

Skilled birth attendance has also increased to 94 percent, while facility-based deliveries now stand at 93 percent, reflecting sustained Government efforts to improve access to quality health services.

Speaking during the 59th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) at the United Nations Headquarters, Chargé d’Affaires at Zambia’s Mission to the UN, Ms Stenah Shampile, said the progress underscores the country’s commitment to universal health coverage and equitable service delivery.

She said Zambia remains committed to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, which prioritises human rights, social justice, and the empowerment of women and young people.

Ms Shampile emphasised that technology, research and data are key drivers of sustainable development, noting that Zambia’s engagement in global platforms helps strengthen partnerships and promote the exchange of evidence-based solutions.

According to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia, Ms Namatama Njekwa, Zambia’s participation in the session reflects its continued commitment to multilateral engagement and advancing the global development agenda.

Ms Shampile highlighted the country’s adoption of geo-referenced and gender-responsive Carrying Capacity Assessments (CCA), which map social services across all 116 districts and integrate population data with gender analysis to enhance planning and coordination.

However, she acknowledged that challenges persist, including an adolescent childbearing rate of 28 percent and maternal mortality, which accounts for 10 percent of deaths among women of reproductive age.

She said Government is addressing these issues through expanded voluntary family planning services and strengthened adolescent-focused programmes aimed at achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health.

On digital transformation, Ms Shampile said Zambia is integrating information and communication technology (ICT) in education under the Ministry of Education’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, with digital platforms increasingly reaching rural communities and improving access to reproductive health information.

Ms Shampile was accompanied by Ministry of Finance and National Planning Director for Population, Ms Pamela Kauseni.

The meeting, which opened on April 13, ends on April 17, 2026, under the theme “Population, technology and research in the context of sustainable development.”

(Mwebantu, Friday, 17th April, 2026)