Platform for Social Accountability

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) is participating in the first-ever National Social Protection Dialogue, a two-day forum hosted by the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Zambia , with support from the Norwegian Church Aid.

Under the theme “Social Protection as a Human Right: Bridging the Gap in Financing for Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” the dialogue has brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the private sector, media, social protection beneficiaries, academia, and youth-led organizations.

The keynote address reaffirmed the government’s commitment to poverty reduction through the recently launched 2025 National Social Protection Policy. This policy adopts a life-cycle approach designed to address risks and vulnerabilities faced by individuals from conception through old age, ensuring no one is left behind. It covers all stages of life, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age, through programs such as Social Cash Transfers, Youth Empowerment, healthcare user fee waivers and insurance, disability benefits, and work injury compensation.

While acknowledging that poverty and inequality persist despite previous social protection efforts, especially in rural areas, the address emphasized that social protection is a universal human right essential for every citizen.

The core aim of this national dialogue is to establish a collective accountability mechanism, enabling all stakeholders, government, civil society, development partners, and the private sector, to effectively support and monitor the full implementation of this transformative policy.

The forum continues with focused, multi-stakeholder discussions aimed at turning social protection from a policy promise into a tangible reality for all Zambians.

Next week, our Executive Director will moderate a session on "Transparency and Misinformation During Elections" at the Zambia Anti-Corruption Conference (ZACC) being organised by Transparency International Zambia. Follow the TIZ page for more details on the event.
https://www.facebook.com/share/16TY6JpzFf/
Transparency International Zambia

Panos Mourns Veteran Journalist, Chishaba Masengu

Lusaka, Zambia — Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) learnt with deep sadness of the passing of veteran broadcaster and media trainer Chishaba Masengu, and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the broader media fraternity.

Mr. Masengu was an outstanding figure in the Zambian media landscape, well known for his dedication and contributions to the journalism profession.

Serving as a broadcaster at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), he was a respected and influential voice, making significant contributions to the media industry.

He collaborated with Panos on the iVerify Zambia initiative in 2021, while serving as a Journalism Mentor with BBC Media Action. His insight and commitment to promoting fact-checking and ethical journalism were of great value to the initiative.

At the time of his passing, Mr. Masengu was working with the Free Press Initiative (FPI) as Media and Information Literacy Chief Trainer, where he continued to devote himself to media capacity building and nurturing emerging journalists. His dedication to sharing knowledge and supporting professional growth in the media sector will be remembered.

We stand with the Masengu family, his friends, and all media practitioners who have been touched by his work, voice, and generous spirit. His contribution to journalism will be remembered.

May the Lord be of good comfort to the Masengu family, his colleagues and friends.

Issued by:
Vusumuzi Sifile
Executive Director
Panos Institute Southern Africa

Understanding Zambia's Data Protection Act: Why It Matters for Social Accountability

In our modern digital world, safeguarding personal information cannot be overstated. The careful protection of data creates benefits for everyone when service providers and community members collaborate responsibly. Various organizations including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media institutions, private sector players, and local government structures play a significant role to upholding Zambia's Data Protection Act.
These stakeholders play an important role across many essential services, helping with:

1. Confirming eligibility for programs
2. Ensuring proper distribution of benefits
3. Improving how services are delivered

Both public institutions and private enterprises must prioritize proper data management through raising public awareness about personal data rights, establishing forums for open dialogue about data protection issues, and maintaining complete transparency regarding how collected information gets utilized and stored.

Data protection
The concept of data protection carries specific meaning under the law:
"When you give your personal data to an organization or person, they have a duty to keep this data private and safe, but readily available whenever it is legitimately needed to be accessed. This process is known as data protection."

Personal data
For Zambian citizens, understanding several key definitions proves essential. The Data Protection Act of 2021 defines personal data as “… data which relates to an individual who can be directly or indirectly identified from that data which includes a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.”

What does this mean for you?
🔒 Data privacy is a fundamental human right that concerns all, in your private lives as well as in your work lives, as individuals and as an organization.
As community members, all citizens shoulder important social accountability responsibilities under this legislation. By becoming informed about data rights, you can:
✔Question how your personal information is collected and used
✔Report violations to the Data Protection Commissioner
✔ Advocate for transparent data practices in both public and private sectors

These provisions carry profound significance for every Zambian. Data privacy stands as a basic human right, impacting all aspects of life, from personal matters to professional activities, affecting individuals and organizations alike. Gaining knowledge about these protections enables you as a citizen to make educated decisions while demanding accountability and transparency in service delivery by institutions.

📚📌 Learn more about The Data Protection Act no 3 of 2021 https://www.dataprotection.gov.zm/services/

Ministry of Technology and Science - Zambia

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Condolence message on the passing on of Zambia’s 6th Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu

The Board, Management and staff of Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) are deeply saddened by the passing on of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who passed away on 5th June 2025.

A lawyer by profession, President Lungu previously served the nation in various capacities in the private sector and in the public service. As a public servant, he served as a Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Justice.

As an organisation, we had an opportunity to work closely with Mr Lungu in various initiatives aimed at facilitating platforms for the underprivileged and marginalised communities to actively participate in governance and democratic processes in Zambia....
Read more
https://www.panos.org.zm/condolence-message-on-the-passing-on-of-zambias-6th-republican-president-edgar-chagwa-lungu/

🛡️ : Child Safeguarding Policy

Children are often most vulnerable to harm from those they trust—such as family members, community members, and even adults involved in development programs. Thus, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Zambia(MCDSS) is mandated to ensure that all children enjoy their rights and are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation.

Why This Matters to YOU:
✔️ Holds leaders/institutions accountable
✔️ Gives you legal backing to report abuse
✔️ Creates safer spaces for all children
✔️ Aligns communities with global best practices
✔️ Makes EVERYONE responsible - Neighbors, relatives, and local leaders all play a role

This policy is based on the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 that has codified and domesticated all legislations relating to children that also includes:

✅ UN Convention on Child Rights (UNCRC) https://www.unicef.org/media/56661/file
✅ African Charter on Child Welfare (ACRWC)
https://au.int/en/treaties/african-charter-rights-and-welfare-child
✅ Optional Protocols and related provisions, including but not limited to:

🔹🛡️ International Child Safeguarding (ICS) Standards (“Do no harm” principle).
🔹 🕊️ UN Statement on the Elimination of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation – Reinforces global commitments to end child-related abuse.
🔹 📜 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) – Regional human rights instrument that protects children's rights in Africa.
🇿🇲 Constitution of Zambia, Article 24.
🔹 📘 Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 – Domesticated both the UNCRC and ACRWC.
🔹 🌐The National Child Safeguarding Framework (NCSF) – Offers guidance on safeguarding mechanisms across institutions.
🔹 🧒 National Child Policy (2015) – Strategic policy framework for implementing child protection and well-being initiatives in Zambia.
🔹 🚫 Anti-Gender Based Violence Act (2011) – Covers children as victims of GBV in domestic settings, addressing physical, mental, social, or economic abuse.
🔹 ⚖️ Sexual Offences Act (Chapter 87) – Provides legal protection for children against sexual abuse and exploitation.
🔹 🛡️ Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (No. 11 of 2008) – Prohibits and addresses trafficking of children for exploitation.

🔗 Learn more about the Child Safeguarding Policy:
https://www.mcdss.gov.zm/?wpfb_dl=102

Accountability for a Stronger Social Safety Net!

Zambia’s 2025 National Social Protection Policy represents more than just assistance—it’s a transformative vision for human dignity across every stage of life. Launched in March 2025, this policy introduces a comprehensive “lifecycle approach” that ensures tailored support from birth through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and into old age.

By recognizing the unique challenges faced at each phase of life, the policy aims to break cycles of poverty, moderate income inequalities, and secure access to essential services like healthcare, nutrition, and education.

The success of this policy depends on our collective vigilance. While government ministries, development partners, and civil society organizations work to implement these crucial protections, true transformation will only come when citizens actively participate in monitoring progress and demanding accountability.

But policies only work with accountability:
🔍 Are the programs reaching those who need them most?
🗣️ Are resources being used effectively in your community?

Social protection is indeed a lifeline—but its strength relies on shared commitment to transparency and engagement.

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Zambia

🔗 https://www.unicef.org/zambia/media/6671/file/NATIONAL-SOCIAL-PROTECTION-POLICY-2025.pdf.pdf

💡 SpeakUp! Track progress. Demand transparency.
Together, let’s turn this vision into reality.

Journalists Urged to Avoid Overreliance on AI for News Gathering - Panos Executive Director Vusumuzi Sifile speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka.

JOURNALISTS URGED TO AVOID OVERRELIANCE ON AI FOR NEWS GATHERING

Panos Institute Southern Africa, Executive Director Vusumuzi Sifile, has urged journalists to avoid relying solely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for news gathering and reporting, warning that it risks undermining the fundamental skills that define quality journalism.

Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka, Mr. Sifile acknowledged the potential of AI to enhance the work of media practitioners but stressed the importance of using such tools responsibly and within clear boundaries.

“AI is beneficial to the media industry, but journalists must understand its limits but overdependence on AI can compromise the essence of real journalism, which is rooted in ethical reporting, human judgment, and contextual storytelling,” said Mr. Sifile.

Mr. Sifile emphasized the continued relevance of traditional journalism practices such as face-to-face interviews, on-the-ground reporting, and in-depth investigations, noting that these methods are vital in maintaining the credibility and authenticity of journalistic work.

While encouraging journalists to embrace innovation, Mr. Sifile called for a balanced approach that prioritizes accuracy, verification, and a human-centered narrative.

By Betty Kakoma