THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says the inclusion of women in development practices is a fundamental strategy to contribute to the effective achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

And Ministry of Community Development and Social Service Permanent Secretary Pamela Kabamba says government remains committed to ensuring that all social protection programmes, especially those that target the vulnerable and poor people in society, are achieved.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and UNDP on cooperation in areas of mutual interest in community development in Lusaka, Monday, UNDP resident representative to Zambia Lionel Laurens said the elimination of discrimination and inequalities against women was an investment with strong multiplier effects.

Laurens said that active and substantial contributions from women and the improvement of their well-being in the economy act as a stimulus for human development and economic growth.

“We are reminded by Agenda 2030 that the inclusion of women in development practices is a fundamental strategy to contribute to the effective achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. I may add that in addition to be a moral obligation and a human right issue, the elimination of discrimination and inequalities against women is an investment with strong multiplier effects. Studies suggest that the active and substantial contribution of women and the improvement of their well-being in the economic, social, environmental and political fields have positive consequences on the whole society and should act as a stimulus for human development and economic growth,” Laurens said.

He noted that the SDGs could not be achieved unless government strategically embraced innovation with stakeholders.

“Madam PS, in the spirit of Agenda 2030 that explicitly advocates for strong partnership under SDG 17, we recognise that SDGs will not be achieved unless government strategically embraces innovation partnership with stakeholders, Laurens added.

He, however, said that the UNDP remained confident that based on mutual interest, it stood ready to collaborate systematically and strategically in the field of sustainable livelihood and community empowerment interventions.

“We are confident that based on our mutual interest, we are ready to collaborate systematically and strategically in the field of sustainable livelihood and community empowerment interventions, promotion of gender equality at grassroots levels, community development activities and socio-economic transformation of rural communities for sustainable development,” said Laurens.

Meanwhile, Kabamba said that government remained committed to ensuring that all social protection programmes, particularly those that targeted the vulnerable and poor citizens in society, were achieved.

“The Government of the Republic of Zambia, led by His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is committed to ensuring that all social protection programmes, especially those that target the vulnerable and poor people in society, achieve the goals in line with the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP). The commitment is evidenced by the increased budgetary allocation over the past years in some programmes, such as Social Cash Transfer (SCT), Food Security Pack (FSP) and Livelihood and Empowerment Support Scheme,” said Kabamba.

“As you’ve observed, it is clear that the cooperation of the MoU is mainly on community development, which is one of the critical areas, especially in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.”