Government has appealed to stakeholders and well-meaning sponsors to develop deliberate programmes similar to the Keeping Girls in School ( KGS ) sponsored by the World Bank to support the boy child, as neglecting them can have long-term devastating effects.
Gender Division Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President at Cabinet Office, Mainga Kabika says neglecting a boy child will only lead to an increase in social vices such as substance abuse, increased crime rate, high divorce rates, GBV and other negative outcomes.
Ms Kabika says as a Division, they acknowledge that the boy child has not been given the much needed attention as much as a girl child, a matter which has been of great concern for some time now.
“ The Gender Division recognises the success of Keeping Girls in School under GEWEL Project in supporting the empowerment of girls in Zambia but we call upon various stakeholders international, continental, Regional and local to partner with the Gender Division office and develop a project like KGS but focusing on Boys,” she said.
Ms Kabika said having been cognizant of the fact that KGS beneficiaries are drawn from very vulnerable and poor homes, the same applies to boys who come from poor homes but are left behind.
“It is therefore essential that we address the needs of all children, regardless of Gender, to create a more equitable and sustainable society.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka by Gender Division Permanent Secretary, Mainga Kabika.
