Look out for the following events this year:

• 10/03/08 International Women's Day: On this day women from various organizations, government departments as well as all walks of life speak out on various issues affecting women even in as far as participation in national development is concerned. At the core of discussion now is the need to protect women and the girl child against gender based violence.

  In March 2000, the Government of the Republic of Zambia adopted the National Gender Policy to serve as a blue print for gender and development activities and its objectives and targets stretch between 2004 and 2008. The policy, which has also been translated into seven local languages for effective communication, has been translated into a Strategic Plan of Action aimed at raising the status of women in society in all areas that include the political, economic, cultural and social sphere. . The Policy has put in place measures to address critical areas of concern as outlined in the Dakar and Beijing Platforms for Action.
  

• 12/03/08 Youth Day: This day draws youths from different sectors of society, those in primary and secondary schools alike, as well those engaged in other activities outside formal education. The aim of the day is to unite the voice of young people to put across to concerned authority and national government the need to meet the urgent needs of young people across the country, among them unemployment and involvement in national development. This year's theme will be "Promoting partnership between the youth and other stakeholdres for national development".

• 01/05/08 Labour Day: Characterized by match pasts by workers from various insitutions and industries, this is a day that pays particular attention and appreciation to the Zambian worker while workers also exhibit the workmanship of their institutions.
  

• 25/05/08 Africa Freedom Day: Celebrated throughout Africa, this day pays tribute and shows appreciation to people who fought for the freedom of various African countries and those who continue to stand out in advocating for the emancipation of the African continent.
  

• 17/10/08 World Day of Poverty Eradication: Also called the White Band, this day draws people from various walks of life all across the countries of the world and anti-poverty campaigners to remind national governments of the need to end poverty and meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 as they promised at the United Nations Summit of 2000

  
  
• 24/10/08 Zambia's Independence: This is a day in Zambia when the nation celebrates the liberation from colonial rule and appreciates the contribution of those who fought for the attainment of freedom. October last year saw Zambia commemorate 43 years of Independence.

   

• 01/12/08 World Aids Day: The past two years has seen World AIDS Day themes pegged at "making and keeping the promise". World AIDS Day commemorates the need to stand up for the prevention of the deadly HIV/AIDS and also the need for all communities support those already infected. Last year's theme was "Take the Lead: keep the promise".

• 10/12/08 Human Rights Day: Over the past 15 years, activists and academics have made significant efforts to link poverty and human rights. However, there is a considerable on-going debate about whether extreme poverty is strictly and legally speaking, a violation of human rights. While the donor community, multilateral institutions and NGOs would benefit from further conceptual clarity, we need a rights-based framework for our poverty eradication efforts, and we need it now. On Human Rights Day, which is observed worldwide, people highlight various aspects of human rights violations in order to raise community awareness as well as draw stakeholder attention to the protection of human diginity.
  

• 16/12/08 Gender Activism Week: Increasing gender equality still remains an indefinable goal because there are various issues that pertain to its total achievement. This therefore makes Goal Number 3 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) an intersecting factor of the agenda for 2015. The Gender Activism Week links its theme to the International Day Against Violence Against Women on November 25 and the Human Rights Day on December 10, to emphasize the urgency of working towards the achievement of gender streamlined sectors within national development systems. Last year's Gender Activism Week was commemorated under the theme "Demanding Implementation, Challenging Obstacles and Ending Violence Against Women".

 

 

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