UNICEF in Zambia - A night with Lotta Sylwander

Commented by Johan Norman, May 2010

- Of 200 000 children born every year in Zambia, half of them die before the age of five. Of these, half dies within the first 28 days. That´s why it is crucial to support newborns at an early stage of life. This says Lotta Sylwander´s , head of UNICEF in Zambia, at her presentation on the 20th of April at the Swedish school. The presentation on UNICEF's work in Zambia attracted a large audience led to interesting discussions afterwards in the Swedish school's bar.

UNICEF, The United Nations Childrens Fund, was founded after World War II to provide food for Europe's children. In the early days the organization was working with relief. Today UNICEF is mainly concerned with human rights.

The Childrens Rights Convention, CRC, governs UNICEF's work. All countries have signed on except Somalia and the United States.

- U.S. refuses to sign because of the prohibition in the Convention against child soldiers. In the United States the army can enlist people from the age of 16.

According to Lotta Sylwander UNICEF has to work differently from Sida and other aid agencies as Zambia is a "partner" of the United Nations organization. But despite Zambia’s partnership UNICEF can be critical towards Zambia if it do not comply with CRC.
- Then we say to the authorities: "You have signed the Convention and it is your duty to follow it.

Zambia is one of the world's poorest countries. One area where UNICEF is working is reducing the high infant mortality. Of 200 000 births per year in Zambia 100 000 die before the age of five. Of these, half die within 28 days and of these, half within 24 hours.
- These figures show how important it is to come into contact with the mothers at an early stage in order to reduce child mortality.

However, the size of Zambia, it is three times bigger than Sweden, and the population being spread out, complicates the fight against child mortality.

The two leading causes of death for children are pneumonia and diarrhea. But malnutrition also plays a major role. 50 percent of the children dying before the age of five were malnourished, making them less resistant to disease.

- Many children eat only nchima, so the problem is not always about eating too little but getting less nutritious food.

Children's schooling is an important area for UNICEF. Not all children go to school but perhaps the biggest problem is that so many children starting in school gradually are dropping out of school. Only 30-35% of school children in Zambia complete the basic years.
- Many parents cannot afford to have children in school. In particular, girls must stay home to take care of siblings.

But even a lack of security on their way to and from school, which is often far away from home, is a problem.
- I have heard amazing stories about children who have been killed by crocodiles on the way to school.

In order to overcome the long and uncertain road to the school UNICEF is supporting dormitories where the children can sleep to avoid commuting between home and school.

An important ingredient in UNICEF's work with children in Zambia is to help the mothers. In most countries in the world, poor as rich, women live longer than men. But in Zambia women die before men.
- It is very rare and we do not know the reason for this.

Working with legal reforms in Zambia is important for UNICEF. Sex trafficking and domestic violence are some problem areas. A survey conducted in 2008 shows that violence against women and children is increasing.
- The interviews showed that violence against women and children is often not seen as a problem but as something normal.

Lotta Sylwander’s presentation on UNICEF led to interesting discussions with the audience and the discussion continued afterwards in the Swedish school's bar, as always open at night at these kinds of events.

To learn more about UNICEF, please visit their website, www.unicef.org.