EFZ wants sexuality meetings stopped
THE Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) has expressed surprise that certain pro- Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) working groups are engaging selected stakeholders.
EFZ Board Chairperson Bishop, Paul Mususu said he was aware that Vice-President Inonge Wina, directed that a multi-sectoral technical working group would be set up to consult on CSE, but was surprised that promoters of the initiative had heightened engagement with selected stakeholders such as Members of Parliament.
He noted that two urgent consultative programmes had been set up at the National Assembly on both the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH&R) and CSE within a space of the next two weeks.
Bishop Mususu disclosed that EFZ received an invitation letter dated October 9, 2020 and a programme indicating that a 20-minute presentation on CSE Experiences is expected from the EFZ at a meeting to be held on October 12.
“While we appreciate the invitation to one of the two events in reference, our concern is that these heightened efforts by promoters of these programmes go a long way to undermine the mechanism currently in motion, set up by Government to review and attend to concerns in an objective manner.
“We earnestly appeal to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mrs Cecilia Nsenduluka Mbewe to halt these processes being thrust on Parliament until the announced Government-led consultative process is completed. A letter has been written to this effect,“Bishop Mususu said.
He said that engaging Parliament at this stage could be premature as stakeholders, parents and other key actors complete the consultative process of scrutinising and reviewing SRH&R and CSE.
“We hold the view that the two programmes are extremely fundamental to the moral, spiritual, character and cultural life of Zambia that the outcome document from such a national consultative process, should be accorded the highest approval levels by the organs of the State that should necessarily include the Executive and Parliament,” said Bishop Mususu.