How To Prepare a Child-Led Complementary Report for a Voluntary National Review: A case study from Zambia

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all UN Member States in 2015.  The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a fundamental part of the 2030 Agenda and are inextricably linked to the rights of children. Countries are encouraged, but not obliged, to conduct a Voluntary National Review (VNR) on a regular basis.  The VNR is a peer review process examining a State’s progress and challenges in achieving the SDGs.  It also looks at progress in achieving the pledge to ‘leave no one behind’ which is a commitment to reach the furthest behind first, and to ensure that progress on the SDGs is inclusive. Civil society organisations also provide a complementary report on the extent to which progress has been made.

In 2020, Zambia presented its first VNR.  A coalition of child rights focused organisations prepared a complementary report scrutinising realities on the ground for children in Zambia.  In addition, a child-led complementary report was developed, which included innovative use of photos and digital consultations.  This Case Study examines the process for developing this child-led report and explores how children were given space and opportunity to identify issues of concern and were in control of the process from the outset.

This case study was developed as part of the How to Child Rights series.