GRZ and UNICEF Launch Tikambe, It’s SAFE Campaign to Protect Adolescents from Child Marriage, Violence, and Adolescent Pregnancy

Katete District, 18 December 2025- The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS), in partnership with UNICEF, today launched the Tikambe, It’s SAFE Campaign. Tikambe campaign is a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting adolescents from child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. 

The launch, held at Katete Primary School Grounds, brought together government officials, civil society, youth representatives, and development partners. The campaign builds on the national momentum generated during the 16 Days of Activism and reflects government’s intensified efforts to address protection risks faced by Zambia’s adolescents. 

Speaking during the launch, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Eastern Province  speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Mr. Lewis Mwape, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ending child marriage and strengthening services for adolescents in line with the Children’s Code Act (2022), the Marriage Amendment Act (2023), and the recently launched Ending Child Marriage Strategy 2026-2030.

“Child marriage and Gender Based Violence has no place in modern Zambia. Every adolescent deserves the chance to be educated, protected, and to grow into adulthood with dignity and hope. The challenges our adolescents face are not statistics; they are lived realities. Addressing them requires every system; education, health, social protection, and justice- to work together so that no young person is left behind,” he said.

UNICEF’s Deputy Representative, Tinkhani Msonda, highlighted the human-centred and youth-driven design of the campaign, emphasizing that Tikambe was developed through a co-creation process with adolescents. “This campaign was not designed for young people; it was designed with young people. They want safe spaces, trusted adults, and systems that respond to their needs.  UNICEF will continue to stand with government, families, and communities to ensure that every adolescent in Zambia thrives” he stated. 

About the Campaign 

Tikambe means “let’s talk” in Nyanja. The Tikambe, It’s SAFE Campaign encourages honest conversations and collective action on issues affecting adolescents.

SAFE stands for:

• S – Stop Child Marriage
• A – Act Against SGBV & Substance Abuse
• F – Free Adolescents’ Future & Mental Well-being
• E – End Adolescent Pregnancies

The campaign will roll out through radio public service announcements, social media activations, youth mentorship, digital engagement, and the release of a campaign song and animated film. Adolescents will also be encouraged to join U-Report, UNICEF’s digital platform for youth engagement dialing *878#.

A National Call to Action 

The campaign underscores the urgent need for collective action. Zambia currently has an estimated 1.8 million child brides, and 28% of girls aged 15–19 have begun childbearing. Research shows that child marriage and adolescent pregnancy contribute to school dropout, gender inequality, mental health challenges, and intergenerational poverty. 

The Tikambe, It’s SAFE Campaign provides communities including adolescents with tools, platforms, and information to protect adolescents, strengthen families, and promote positive social norms.