ZAMBIA CHAPTER COUNTRY PERSPECTIVE ON CARE WORK CAMPAIGN IN ZAMBIA PRESENTED BY PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE- GEMSA-ZAMBIA

BACKGROUND GEMSA- Zambia is one of the chapters that is undertaking the care work project that was rolled out in 2006 The In-Country policies research conducted May- June 2009 was a follow up to an earlier advocacy campaign (2006) that resulted in the “ appropriate recognition” of care work in the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. The purpose of the audit was to develop model policies that can be used to lobby governments for more far-reaching provisions for care worker s

Visited Home Based Care Organizations, Ministry of Health and other relevant organizations to collect any available documentation on care work. Called for a meeting with the caregivers to get their first hand experiences and challenges during their work.

Some Organizations Consulted Society for Women and AIDS in Africa Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia (NZP+) Health Trust (FHT) Community Youth Concern (CYC) Kwasha Mukwenu Churches Health Association of Zambia And many others

FINDINGS Care work was an initiative of the church and civil society. Government has taken long to fully be part of the concept There are three types of care givers in Zambia namely; Primary, secondary and professional (nurses, doctors etc) Care workers in Zambia were not remunerated and the government showed little recognition Care work was done mostly by women and young girls (because of culture)- No gender equality

The burden of care work was worsened by the HIV/AIDS scourge There is no policy on care work or HBC Government in collaboration with some civil society organization developed a Minimum Standard Guidelines on care work for all HBC organizations

Government with cooperating partners developed a standard training manual for care givers Some HBC organizations give a small remuneration to care workers attached to their organizations and the amount differ from one organization to another. This has brought about competition among care givers

Government provided a HBC tool kit to some HBC Care workers receive some training ( about two week period or so) and government through the Ministry of Health provide trainers Care workers were concentrated more along the line of rail thus leaving out the rural areas

Care-givers have little or non food supplements for their clients, limited transportation and resources, lack of support from government, they end up being poor because they spend most of their time looking after the sick instead of fending for their families

Government Response Government has created an enabling environment for care workers Government through the NAC and working with other cooperating partners has developed a draft HBC policy which has been waiting for funding from the government for months now The draft policy has not yet been made a public document for people to comment

Way Forward Need for more advocacy for an urgent clear cut and comprehensive HBC policy to be in place Need to engage other CSOs and health service providers in advocacy initiatives Need for on-going training for care workers Lobby government to commence consultations on draft HBC policy which should have been in place by end of 2009