![[Zambia] Lusaka City Council launches social inclusion policy](Images/2018/06/lusaka_city_council_launch_policy.jpg)
[Zambia] Lusaka City Council launches social inclusion policy
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has launched a Social Inclusion and Gender Policy with support from the American government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) aimed at ensuring that LCC promotes and maintains a conducive and enabling working environment and ensures that its services reach all intended beneficiaries.
This is part of institutional strengthening support to LCC under the US$355 million Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project (LWSSDP).
Speaking during the launch of the policy, Minister of Local Government, Hon. Vincent Mwale said that Social Inclusion and Gender policy will help improve social inclusion and gender integration within LCC which was in line with the Zambian government’s goal of bringing services to Lusaka’s residents.
“Lusaka City Council is not moving alone in this direction because the Zambian government is committed to ensuring that services reach everyone regardless of where they live, their status in society, their gender or their economic conditions. Inclusive service provision must be realized in all government departments and among all stakeholders that we work with,” he said.
Secretary to the Treasury and MCA-Zambia Board Chairperson, Mr. Fredson Yamba lauded the launch of the policy as a milestone in ensuring that Compact investments are sustained beyond the life of the LWSSD project.
“Ultimately, through the implementation of this policy, LCC will ensure that residents of Lusaka are engaged in an effective manner that will promote behavioural change resulting in sustainable use of Compact investments and other future investments,” He said.
Speaking at the same event, the United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Christopher Krafft said, “…sustainable development relies on inclusive development. Efforts to promote economic growth and to help people lift themselves out of poverty are best achieved when they harness the full participation and potential of women, the poor, and other members of vulnerable or marginalized populations, ensuring that all residents fully benefit from expanding economic opportunities, services, and public investments.”
The Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project is expected to directly benefits to over 1.2 million residents of the city of Lusaka.
