Zambia loses one woman every four hours to pregnancy complications – Ipas ASR
A traditional leader in Itezhi Tezhi District has sounded a distress call over the increasing number of young girls in his chiefdom who are dropping out of school due to unplanned pregnancies.
Officially opening a two-day Comprehensive Values Clarification for Action and Transformation (VCAT) workshop on Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights at Chita Lodge in Kafue on Wednesday, Chief Chikanza Munyama of the Ila people said his chiefdom urgently needs assistance to prevent teenage pregnancies.
The workshop has attracted 22 participants, including two traditional leaders, Chief Chikanza Munyama from Itezhi Tezhi District and Chief Nyama from Kazungula District. Civic, community and religious leaders from both districts are also in attendance.
"We need help to protect our vulnerable young girls," Chief Munyama said. "Workshops such as the one organised by Ipas ASR assist community members to understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting the young girls."
The Chief expressed deep concern that many girls were losing their future due to early pregnancies, which often lead to early marriages and lifelong poverty.
Speaking at the same event, Ipas ASR Health Systems Advisor Roina Chilufya painted a grim picture of Zambia's maternal health situation.
She disclosed that the country's maternal mortality ratio currently stands at 252 deaths per 100,000 live births.
"This means Zambia is losing a woman every four hours due to complications arising from pregnancies," Ms. Chilufya said. She added that most of these deaths are preventable with timely access to reproductive health services and community-based interventions.
The two-day workshop, which runs from March 15 to 16, 2026, aims to equip traditional and religious leaders with knowledge and skills to champion sexual and reproductive health rights in their communities.
Participants are expected to develop action plans to address teenage pregnancy and maternal deaths in their respective chiefdoms.
