Senior Chief Kaputa of the Tabwa people in Luapula Province says vulnerability issues predisposing young people to risks of HIV infection and early marriages should be addressed failure to which the vices will remain unabated.
The traditional leader singled out poverty as the major vulnerability factor influencing risky social behaviours especially among the poor rural folk. He however cautioned Zambians against looking up to others to uplift them out of poverty but rather exploit their different talents to make a difference.
Chief Puta was speaking at the United Nations (UN) 71ST Day and the 1st anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) media breakfast meeting at Hotel Intercontinental in Lusaka on 14 October 2016.
“People have the knowledge of behaviours that increase their risks to HIV infections for example but if we do not address the factors that make them disregard these risks, our impact in ending the spread of the virus will remain marginal,” said Chief Puta.
He said because of poor economic conditions, most parents in rural areas treat their girl children as a source of wealth in the form of dowry and hardly care about the age when they give out their children into marriage.
The traditional leader cited agriculture as the best option to invest in towards improving the living conditions of rural dwellers since the sector offers multiple benefits of consumption and income for excess produce.
He bemoaned the tendency of Zambians not to invest in rural areas of their origin which have remained backward since independence half a century ago.
“Almost all houses in villages are grass thatched ramshackles of all shapes without modern amenities because of neglect. Use your talents, ideas and money to change this situation through partnerships with us as traditional leaders,” he said.
The UN agencies made presentations to the media on all the 17 SDGs which are; no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduce inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions and partnerships for the goals.
The meeting also attended by various community based organisations was sponsored by the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
Prepared by the NAC Communications Unit
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