The Human Rights Commission of Zambia (HRC-Z) conducted two engagement sessions in Chinsali District, Muchinga Province on 8th Septemeber 2026, sensitising students on human rights and the Commission’s mandate.

The first session was held at the Chinsali Institute of Applied Sciences, Arts and Technology Ltd, where the Commission engaged 42 nursing and midwifery students on the relevance of human rights to healthcare practice. The second session was held at Kapasa Makasa University, where about 200 students were sensitised on the Commission’s mandate, legal framework, and human rights issues affecting young people in institutions of higher learning.

At both sessions, Senior Education Training Officer, Ms. Lucy Munthali explained the Commission’s dual mandate to promote and protect human rights, noting that promotion involves raising awareness of rights while protection covers the redress available when rights are violated. She explained that HRC-Z is a National Human Rights Institution established under Article 230(1) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016.

Students at the Chinsali Institute were also sensitised on prevention of discrimination in public health facilities and the unauthorised sharing of patients’ information.

Complaints and Investigations Officer Ms.Nawa Mataa briefed the students on how to reach the Commission’s Chinsali office, based in Mayadi, to report violations.

Students at the Chinsali Institute appreciated the engagement meeting which enabled them understand human rights while those at Kapasa Makasa University expressed interest in establishing a human rights club to help them advance human rights within the university community.