Tackling Teenage Pregnancies

Oxfam Zambia partners with Ministry of Health and Global Affairs Canada to roll out youth-focused health programs.

By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka, Zambia24 – (03-03-2026) – The Oxfam Zambia Country Office convened stakeholders in Lusaka to launch the CHOICE Program, a seven-year sexual and reproductive health initiative. 

The event was called in response to the rising teenage pregnancies in Zambia, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated interventions to address this growing public health challenge.

Ms. Chitimbwa Chifunda, Oxfam Zambia Country Director, said, “Zambia records over 12,000 teenage pregnancies each year among school-going children, according to the Ministry of Health’s 2024 Statistical Bulletin. 

These pregnancies disrupt education and have long-term social, health, and economic consequences for young girls.”

She added, “Our vision is a just and sustainable future for all people in Southern Africa, and our mission is to fight inequality and end poverty and injustice. 

The CHOICE Program aims to expand access to sexual and reproductive health information, challenge harmful social norms, and support young people to make informed choices about their bodies and futures.”

Ms. Chifunda explained that the program will work closely with communities, schools, and health facilities to ensure adolescents are informed.

“The program will operate in target districts in Zambia and engage with 60 health facilities and 60 schools. It will enhance bodily autonomy and agency, reduce harmful practices, and foster a supportive environment for young people,” she said.

The CHOICE Program is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and will be implemented from 2025 to 2031. “This initiative reflects Canada’s long-standing commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights. 

In February 2025, Canada announced a $248 million global health initiative under a 10-year commitment to global health and rights,” said Ms. Chifunda.

Ms. Chifunda highlighted the local partnerships. “We are proud to work with Oxfam Canada, local implementing partners, community-based organizations, women-led groups, local governments, and vocal chiefs. So much of the work at the community level is driven by local leadership,” she said.

She added, “We can help ensure that every woman and every adolescent has the knowledge, services, and support they need to exercise their rights and shape their futures.”

Ms. Chifunda also pointed out the urgency of the program. “In Zambia, 29% of girls aged 15 to 19 become pregnant. Young girls often do not have the information they need to make informed choices. 

The CHOICE Program responds directly to this challenge. It is expanding access to sexual and reproductive health information, breaking down stigma around these topics, and supporting communities to change harmful gender norms,” she said.

Corry Van Gaal, Chargé d’Affaires at the Canadian High Commission, said, 

“This is a particularly important meeting for all stakeholders to get coordinated and organized. Canada’s $30 million investment over seven years will support work in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The CHOICE Program is one of 14 initiatives under this broader package.”

Corry Van Gaal, Chargé d’Affaires at the Canadian High Commission, underscored the importance of collaboration. “This is a critical moment for all stakeholders to coordinate efforts and ensure the program reaches those who need it most,” he said. 

The CHOICE Program also emphasizes local leadership, engaging community-based organizations, women-led initiatives, traditional leaders, and local governments. 

“Our goal is to ensure every adolescent has the knowledge, services, and support they need to exercise their rights and shape their future,” Ms. Chifunda added.

Globally, Oxfam operates as a confederation of 20 organizations, working with over 3,000 partners in more than 75 countries.

“In Southern Africa, we are implementing programs in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe that tackle inequality, poverty, and barriers to health and education,” said Ms. Chifunda.

She concluded, “This program is an important step in reducing teenage pregnancies, promoting sexual and reproductive health rights, and strengthening community-level interventions in Zambia.”

Director of Public Health Matilda Kakungu Simpungwe, who represented acting Minister of Health Cornelius Mweetwa, said the programme will be implemented by the Society for Family Health (SFH) with support from Global Affairs Canada. Mweetwa was engaged with another important undertaking and could not attend the launch.

Dr. Simpungwe said the initiative comes in response to alarming levels of unintended pregnancies, particularly among adolescents, in the targeted provinces.

“Central and Southern provinces continue to face significant sexual and reproductive health and broader public health challenges that require urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders,” she said.

She cited findings from the 2024 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, which indicate that Southern Province has a teenage pregnancy rate of 27.2 percent, second only to Eastern Province at 30 percent, while Central Province stands at 23.1 percent.

Dr. Simpungwe said the statistics reflect persistent gaps in access to contraception, comprehensive sexuality education, accurate health information and adolescent-friendly health services.

She further noted that national data shows 32 percent of adolescents aged 15 to 17 and 60 percent of those aged 18 to 19 are sexually active, yet only about 12 percent of female adolescents use modern contraceptive methods.

“This gap places many young people at risk of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections,” she said.

Dr. Simpungwe added that the country continues to face health system challenges, including limited adolescent-friendly spaces in health facilities, a shortage of healthcare providers trained in adolescent health, and the high burden of communicable diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis.

She said these systemic challenges are recognised in the National Health Strategic Plan and require strengthened partnerships and targeted interventions.

The CHOICE programme will be implemented in collaboration with local authorities and community organisations to address service delivery gaps. 

It will focus on improving access to contraception, enhancing reproductive health education, and empowering adolescents and young women with knowledge and resources to make informed health decisions.

Dr. Simpungwe said the initiative prioritises expanding access to quality, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and strengthening systems in the targeted districts.

“With these remarks, I hereby officially launch the CHOICES Project,” she said, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that every adolescent girl and woman in the targeted provinces has access to essential health information, services, and support.