Report January – September 2022

  1. Meetings

1.1. Monthly meetings

The MWAZ executive holds monthly meetings in order to plan, strategise and share updates on on-going activities to ensure the smooth running of the association.

1.2. Annual General Meeting

The MWAZ AGM has been scheduled for 14th October, 2022. The theme for this AGM is “Challenges and Innovations in Health Amidst Covid-19 pandemic: Prioritizing women, adolescent and child health”. Submissions of abstracts for scientific presentations is already open.

From left to right; Dr. Faith Simushi (Treasurer), Dr. Joyce Sakala (Secretary General), Dr. Cheswa Vwalika (MWAZ President), Dr. Amany Asfour (MWIA President elect), Dr. Christabel Mbiiza (Committe member), Dr. Mah Asombang (Vice President), Dr. Sarah Nshimbi Makaliki (Publicity Secretary)

Fig. 1: From left to right; Dr. Faith Simushi (Treasurer), Dr. Joyce Sakala (Secretary General), Dr. Cheswa Vwalika (MWAZ President), Dr. Amany Asfour (MWIA President elect), Dr. Christabel Mbiiza (Committe member), Dr. Mah Asombang (Vice President), Dr. Sarah Nshimbi Makaliki (Publicity Secretary)

1.3. MWAZ meets the MWIA President Elect

The Medical Women’s Association of Zambia (MWAZ) executive met with the president elect of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), Dr. Amany Asfour, at the Networking Business cocktail of the AU-Private Sector Forum held on 24th July, 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia where she was chairing in her capacity as President of the Africa Business Council. Various issues of interest were discussed including policy advocacy, projects development and personal empowerment and programs for female medical doctors.

1.4. MWAZ meets MWAN

In April 2022 the MWAZ President, Dr. Cheswa Vwalika met the President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Lagos Chapter Dr. Ibironke Sodeinde. She learnt that Nigerian women face similar issues, such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The President also met Dr. Lara, another MWAN member in Lagos and they shared best practices and lessons on how to best run the associations.

  1. International Women’s Day

On Tuesday, 8th March, 2022, the world celebrated International Women’s Day under the theme “Gender equity today for a sustainable tomorrow”. MWAZ was one of the participants in the march past, along with thousands of women from various organizations in Lusaka. MWAZ, in collaboration with the University of Zambia (UNZA), set up a Covid-19 vaccination booth, where awareness and vaccination services were offered to the public.

  1. Health Talks

3.1. Camnet TV health corner

MWAZ had partnered with Camnet TV, a community broadcasting network to raise awareness on various health matters. The program came to an end on 31st August, 2022. Topics covered so far are non-communicable diseases, emergencies in the home, Covid-19, Cholera, Polio, Congenital Heart Diseases, Oral Health, Adolescent sexual reproductive health. Carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, High Blood Pressure education, cervical cancer, hepatitis B, Mental Health among others.

3.2. Monthly Webinars

MWAZ holds virtual monthly webinars to discuss various health issues affecting girls, women and their families.

  1. Participants of the Girls in STEM Against GBV Summit

    Fig. 2: Participants of the Girls in STEM Against GBV Summit

    Girls in STEP Against GBV Summit

The Girls in STEP against Gender Based Violence (GBV) Summit was held on 14th April, 2022 at Cresta Golfview hotel in Lusaka, Zambia. The theme of the Summit was to “empower girls to achieve economic independence through STEO education to fight GBV”. The MWAZ vice-President, Dr. Mah Asombang spoke on Sexual Health Education as a mode of preventing the risk of GBV, advocating for Human Rights and empowering young girls. The objective of this event was to equip 80 girls from rural areas of the Central Province with information and skills to fight against GBV.

  1. MWAZ Mentorship Program

In April, 2022 MWAZ launched the first cohort of the mentorship program which saw the pairing of 45 mentees to 3 mentors. It was a 3-month program that started in April and ended in July. The mentorship program had been very insightful and enlightening. It was a great way to connect doctors and medical students from all over the country and abroad. Meetings were held physically and virtually through Zoom, Google Meet and other online platforms. Graduation for the first cohort to be held at the upcoming AGM.

  1. Evolve with MWAZ

In July, MWAZ partnered with a local gymnasium and a local spa to provide MWAZ members with fitness classes, along with leisure and wellness activities at a discounted price. This is in line with the MWAZ objective of promoting physical, mental and overall wellbeing of female medical doctors.