The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) Coordinator for Legal Support, Sexual & Reproductive Health, under the Elton John Foundation supported by the Elton John Juvenile Offenders’ Health (EJJOH) Project, Ms. Moomba M. Thornicroft, has been elected as Chairperson for the Southern Africa Network of Prisons (SANOP) Steering Committee for the Zambian Chapter.

SANOP is a membership- based organization that exists to serve the prison and ex- prison community and promote human health and dignity in Southern Africa. The organization Coordinates regional efforts to promote the rights of inmates, ex-inmates and their families for community re-entry and success reintegration.

Ms. Thornicroft joined CIDRZ in 2018 and in her role, she has been supporting Juveniles in conflict with law. She also supports members of the Child Justice Forum with capacity building to enhance expedition of juvenile cases. In addition, she is responsible for creating Youth Friendly Spaces in Correctional Facilities. She has been working with Adolescents for the past 10 years and she poses qualifications in Law, Project Planning and Management, and Public Health.

Reacting to her election Ms. Thornicroft said that she was humbled and honored to be trusted with leading the Zambian Chapter Steering Committee of SANOP. She added that her election had nothing to do with gender, but it had to do with ability and that her skills, experience and hard work will add value to her role at SANOP.

“I believe CIDRZ has a great track record of working with correctional facilities in the last 9 years. We have conveyed and repatriated over 254 juveniles from various correctional facilities to reformatory or approved schools. This is the reason why different stakeholders and organizations like SANOP have confidence in us”, Ms. Thornicroft said.

And CIDRZ Chief Executive Officer Dr. Izukanji Sikazwe, congratulated Ms. Thornicroft on her election.

“Join me in congratulating Ms. Moomba Thornicroft on her election as Chairperson for SANOP Steering Committee Zambian Chapter. Her election clearly reflects how much hard work she puts in together with her team in adding value to the prisons. This is also a demonstration of the confidence stakeholders in the correctional services have in CIDRZ work. Congratulations once again to Ms. Thornicroft and the Elton John Foundation” said Dr. Sikazwe.

SANOP was formed in 2012 as part of the Regional Prison Health Work through a Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and SADC Health Ministers initiative to better coordinate interactions between Members of Parliament, Prisons and Correctional Service, Civil Society Organizations and Ex-inmates.

In 2015, SANOP and VSO through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Grant managed to work with correctional services to establish and strengthen Technical Working Groups, form ex-in mates’ associations and further assisted them in developing small business initiatives.