03/09/2025
๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐
๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฌ๐ช๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ญ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฎ
Monze, 3rd September 2025 โ WaterAid Zambia (WAZ) and the Young Womenโs Christian Association (YWCA) have signed a landmark Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) to implement the Strengthening Wholistic and Inclusive Systems for Health (SWISH) Project, supported by Global Affairs Canada through WaterAid Canada.
The seven-year partnership (2025โ2032) will transform Zambiaโs health landscape by:
โข Integrating reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health (RMNCH) services with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
โข Improving access to safe and inclusive health care, particularly for women, adolescents, and children.
โข Empowering women, adolescents, and youth as leaders and change agents.
โข Enhancing governance and accountability in the health system.
โข Building institutional capacity for sustainability.
The SWISH project will directly benefit more than 441,000 people, including women, adolescents, children, and community members, while strengthening the capacity of health authorities, managers, health workers, and community leaders to sustain inclusive services. Grounded in gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability, the initiative will ensure that no one is left behind, with deliberate attention to women, girls, adolescents, and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Yankho Mataya, Country Director of WaterAid Zambia, said:
โThis partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that women, youth, and marginalized communities are at the center of health and WASH systems in Zambia. Together, we will drive long-term change that promotes dignity, inclusion, and resilience.โ
On behalf of YWCA, Ms. Regina Musa Katongo, Executive Director, emphasized:
โYWCA has always championed safe spaces, advocacy, and empowerment for women and youth. This partnership will allow us to reach more communities and ensure that every person, especially the most vulnerable, can access safe and inclusive health services.โ
Representing government, Dr. Ghocho Kapoba Monze District Health Director, reaffirmed national support:
โThis is our program as government. We must own it, ensure inclusiveness, and guarantee accountability. Together with WaterAid and YWCA, we will strengthen systems so that no one is left behind, especially women and girls. Sustainability is key, we must ensure the gains we achieve will last beyond the projectโs lifetime.โ
The Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada, is providing the financing that makes this work possible. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Provincial and District Health Offices, Local Authorities, and community structures such as WASH Committees and Neighborhood Health Committees.
The SWISH project is aligned with Zambiaโs Vision 2030, the National Health Strategic Plan, and contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
This partnership signals a new chapter in Zambiaโs journey toward resilient, inclusive health systems. Stakeholders called on communities, civil society, and the private sector to rally behind this initiative to ensure long-term sustainability and shared ownership.
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๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฎ:
WaterAid Zambia is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation. With a focus on community-led initiatives, the organization works towards creating sustainable solutions that empower communities and enhance their overall well-being.
For media inquiries, please contact: Angel Phiri, WaterAid Zambia, Communications and Campaigns Officer angelphiri@wateraid.org Cell: 0971097849
