Ipas Zambia Media Network

 By Linda Mupemo, ZANIS - Milenge Picture courtesy of Google Images A 42 year old Milenge woman has filed for divorce on account of her husband’s extreme sexual demand. Minute Chola, of Talayi village in Chief Sokontwe’s Chiefdom  has told the Milenge Local Court Presiding Magistrate Heaven Chimpandu that she has failed to sustain her husband’s bizarre sexual appetite. “We have been having irreconcilable differences with my husband Maybin Chisala, 45, because of his unusual sexual demands," she complained in court. Chola testified that she was diagnosed with an illness at the hospital and was advised to reduce on too much sex and heavy duties, as the illness resurfaces every time she engages in abnormal sex, but that her husband has totally refused to adhere to the doctor’s guidance. “We have been married for seven years and my husband demands for sex from me even when I'm menstruating. But he also cheats on me because he engages in extra-marital affairs with other women,” she...

By Pamela Inambao                      Chief Lundu of the Senga speaking people of Chama District - Picture by Pamela Inambao   Every child has the right to a safe, formal, quality education and access to lifelong learning. However, due to a combination of factors, many girls in rural communities are forced to leave school while others never have the opportunity to go to school.   Schools are spaces in which girls exercise their agency, make their voices heard and access their first leadership opportunities.   It is a known fact that as a result of gender inequality in education, girls are denied the chance to develop skills that can help them take charge in their homes, careers, communities and the country as a whole.   The introduction of the Re-entry policy by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government under the able Leadership of President Edgar Lungu, must be commended by all well-meaning Zambia...

 By Abigail Mulenga, Kfm Radio Chief Chisunka of the Ushi Speaking People in Mansa district has called on the Ministry of Health to  step-up the sensitisation of parents and guardians when there are new health and vaccine issues to be conducted in villages. Chief Chisunka cited the HPV vaccine that was administered to 14 year old girls last year as one which raised concerns among many parents as they did not understand what the vaccine was all about. He stated that it is the duty of health workers to explain to the communities so that they do not spread rumours that can cause panic. And the Traditional Leader has called on the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to stop teaching school going children under the age of 16 about contraceptives. He cited that the Comprehensive Sexuality Education being taught in schools is the root cause of bad morals which leads to them engaging in illicit activities. Meanwhile, a mother in Chisunka chiefdom...

By Abigail Mulenga, Kfm Radio As a way of commemorating the International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day, Serenity Harm Reduction Zambia and Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance-Zambia has urged expectant mothers to refrain from taking alcohol whilst pregnant. SHARPZ and SAAPA Executive Director Philip Chimponda explains that there is no safer amount of alcohol for expectant mothers. Mr. Chimponda also dispelled rumours that when an expectant mother takes opaque beer mixed with milk and sugar they will give birth to light skinned babies, adding that there is no scientific evidence of that. He further called on mothers to safeguard the lives of their unborn babies.   International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day is observed every year on 9 th  September so that the world remembers that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should abstain from alcohol.

  By Hellen Chisha, Tuta Radio Chief Chisunka of the Ushi Speaking People in Mansa district has applauded government for constructing two mini hospitals in his chiefdom. Chief Chisunka says the construction of Chisunka and Chiango Mini Hospitals will go a long way in improving access to health services in the area.   The Traditional Leader reveals that Chisunka Mini Hospital is operational while Chiango Mini Hospital is at 90 percent completion and is scheduled to be commissioned in October, 2020.     He notes that expectant mothers used to cover long distances to access maternal health care at Mansa General Hospital.   Chief Chisunka adds that the mini hospitals will also carter for the two nearby Chiefdoms namely Katuta Kampemba  and Mutipula.    

By Hellen Chisha, Tuta Radio The Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) in Luapula province has introduced literacy classes for girls who have been withdrawn from early marriages as schools remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Speaking in an interview with Tuta Radio, NGOCC  Luapula and Northern Province Project Officer Patricia Lwaile says the organisation withdrew 156 girls from marriages in Luapula province from January to June 2020.   Ms. Lwaile explains that most of the girls who have been withdrawn from marriages have not yet gone to school due to the outbreak of the corona virus which has led to the suspension of classes for non-examination classes.   She explains that the literacy classes are meant to keep the girls occupied while schools are closed.