The Enhancing Civil Society’s Role in Advancing Children’s Rights: Supporting the Implementation of the Children’s Code Act is being supported by the European Union. The project helps children and young people, particularly those from marginalised and underrepresented groups, to understand, claim and enjoy their rights under Zambia’s Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022. It makes children’s voices visible and actionable at the community, district and national levels.
The project works with children aged 18 and under. It takes a disability-inclusive approach that recognises a key barrier: girls, children with disabilities and other marginalised groups face obstacles to participation that other children don’t experience equally.
Where the Project Works
The project runs in two districts, Kabwe and Chibombo, in Central Province. It builds on existing community, traditional and civil society structures rather than creating parallel ones. This means the structures can continue working after the project ends.
What Enhancing Civil Society’s Role in Advancing Children’s Rights Supports
At its core, the project strengthens civil society and community actors so they can advocate for and monitor the Children’s Code Act’s implementation. It does this through capacity building, community engagement and media outreach. The project also establishes and strengthens inclusive, child-led platforms in schools and communities. These platforms let children raise issues, gather evidence and engage directly with decision-makers.
Why It Matters
When children gain the confidence to voice their concerns in a structured way, and when communities, traditional leaders and governments have clear pathways to respond, child protection systems become more accessible, responsive and rights-respecting. This is the core promise of civic participation: it moves beyond silence and creates a functional feedback loop that drives lasting change.
Who Is Involved
The project aims to reach 3,600 children and young people directly through 120 inclusive, child-led structures. It also involves parents and caregivers, civil society and community-based organisations, media houses, traditional and religious leaders, and government officials and policymakers.
The Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA) leads the project. It partners with Restless Development Zambia, Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS), Kindernothilfe (KNH) and the Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD).
Rights education and information activities will reach a further 120,000 children and youth, plus 40,000 parents and caregivers. This shared approach builds a clearer feedback loop: children speak up, adults and institutions respond, and everyone can track progress toward a rights-respecting Zambia over time.
