February 2022 – ECDAN Knowledge Fellow, Tashar Simasiku, together with her mentor, conducted a small-scale study that explored the issues and challenges in the implementation of multisectoral approaches to nurturing care in Zambia. The project analyzed the current situation implementing the nurturing care framework and coordinating multisector actors using available platforms through interviews with members of the Zambia Early Childhood Development Action Network (ZECDAN).
The interviews helped to analyze challenges for multisectoral collaboration, identify available opportunities, and make recommendations based on a conceptual framework for multisectoral approaches developed in Africa. This project also included a desk review of publications on multisectoral approaches and the nurturing care framework at global, regional, and country levels. The preliminary results indicate that multisectoral collaboration among key actors is generally weak. Key challenges include insufficient resources to facilitate effective implementation, unclear roles and responsibilities including non-participation of local actors, and a weak monitoring and evaluation system.