In a powerful fusion of cultural celebration and modern healthcare advocacy, the Zambia Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (ZAGO) participated in this year’s (2026) annual Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province of Zambia.

The association seized the opportunity presented by the large gathering of both young and old traditionalists to share crucial information about the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) project. The initiative aimed to tackle the numerous SRH challenges – including teenage pregnancies, STIs/HIV, unsafe abortions, and gender-based violence – facing young Zambians.

The Nc’wala, a vibrant thanksgiving ceremony marking the first harvest, attracts thousands of people from not only within Zambia, but across the Southern African region. It is a pinnacle of Ngoni culture, celebrating international identity, community, and continuity. For ZAGO, Nc’wala ceremony presented a unique, culturally resonant platform to reach a concentrated audience of young and old in a setting of pride and tradition.

“Engaging with communities within their cultural spaces is essential for effective public health work,” explained ZAGO project manager Mr Benedictus Mangala. “When we meet people of all hues at the Nc’wala, we are not just outsiders with a message. We are participants in a shared celebration, which builds trust and opens doors for meaningful conversation about their health and futures.”

At a dedicated cultural stand, through respectful, interactive dialogues, the team that comprised officials from healthcare facilities in Chipata supported by ZAGO – provided varied range of information including:

• Guiding participants who came through the stand where and how to access confidential, non-judgmental healthcare services in the various healthcare facilities supported by ZAGO.
• Shared scientifically backed SRH information, dispelled myths and providing facts about contraception, safe sex, and bodily autonomy.
• Provided information on preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and pathways to support for survivours of sexual and gender-based violence.
• The team conducted HIV tests, and provided a platform for people to freely access barrier methods including condoms.
• Emphasised that every young person has the right to make informed decisions about their body, health, and life.

The participation at Nc’wala ceremony underscores a critical strategy in adolescent health: meeting young people where they are, both physically and culturally. It was an opportunity to integrate SRHR education into a traditional ceremony, enabling the project to demystify sensitive topics and framed health as an integral part of a thriving community’s future.

The feedback from attendees was profoundly positive. Many young people expressed gratitude for the information, noting that such knowledge empowers them to navigate pressures and make healthier choices.

This outreach at the Nc’wala ceremony was just one component of ZAGO’s broader SRHR project for adolescents and young people. It highlighted the project’s commitment to innovative, community-embedded approaches. As ZAGO honours traditional culture as the bedrock of national heritage, and advancing essential health discourse, the organisation will continue to cultivate a generation that is not only proud of its heritage but also equipped to protect its health and rights.

The project has continued to work across communities, advocating for quality health services that ensure every young person in Zambia can realize their full potential.