Kafue, 8th April 2025 – The Government of Zambia has hailed the construction of the women officers’ accommodation facilities and a children’s daycare centre at the Zambia Police Service (ZPS) Geoffrey Mukuma Training Centre (SONDELA), as a right step towards women’s inclusion and leadership in peace-keeping operations. 

The modern women's accommodation and children's daycare, being constructed with technical and financial support from the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) and the Canadian Government, will house up to 40 women police officers and include a childcare center with a capacity for 15 children under the age of 10. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Internal Security, Mr. Dickson Matembo, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Honourable Jack Mwiimbu, emphasized that the facility is "transformative and marks the beginning of a journey towards progress, prosperity, and an improved training center for all women and men in the Zambia Police Service.  Women bring unique perspectives and skills that are essential in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. Yet they continue to face barriers that limit their full participation. Today we take a crucial step in dismantling those barriers,” he said.

The facility, which promises to become a Centre of Excellence in the region, holds a lot of answers to the many barriers that were uncovered after the MOWIP (Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations) assessment. Some of the barriers that were sought to be addressed included, among others, the lack of adequate facilities to meet the specific needs of women, such as dedicated women’s accommodation and childcare facilities to enable women police officers fully prepare for deployment to peace operations.

Ms. Deborah Warren-Smith, Manager of the Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations  (EIF), although not present at the ceremony, shared that she was pleased that the Fund had been able to support this milestone through both financial and technical support to the project.

“The Government of Zambia has demonstrated strong commitment to this initiative, including by co-financing the project and ensuring its long-term sustainability through dedicated budget allocations for staffing, maintenance, and operations. The Elsie Initiative Fund commends the Zambia Police Service and UNDP for their continued leadership and commitment to institutional progress. We also extend sincere thanks to the Fund’s donors for their ongoing support.

At the same occasion, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Dr. James Wakiaga called for collaboration in sustaining the facility, “ensuring it remains a symbol of transformation and opportunity for generations to come”. 

“Let us commit to nurturing and preserving this symbol of progress, so it continues to inspire and empower uniformed women within the service. As we break ground today, we symbolically pave the way toward more inclusive peacekeeping and national service. The women who will benefit from this facility are not only serving their country but also forging a future of peace, equality, and collective advancement. Their contributions are pivotal in shaping a more inclusive and harmonious world”, he said. 

The modern facility will significantly enhance the training environment, effectively removing practical barriers that often restrict women's access to peacekeeping training opportunities. 

Meanwhile  the Inspector General of Police, Graphael Musamba pointed out that the Facility is more than one to improve the living conditions of women in the police during their training, but, “a powerful recognition of the invaluable role women play, not only in the Zambia Police Service but also in the global peace-keeping support operations. It underscores the significant contributions women make to security and peace, and reinforces the urgent need to support them in every  way possible.”

Contact Information: Mercy Khozi, mercy.khozi@undp.org.zm on 0966750787 

Shupe Makashinyi: Shupe.Makashinyi@undp.org on  0976 154 818

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