With Chipata being its provincial Headquarter, Eastern province has fifteen (15) districts in total. According to the 2022 census report, the population of Eastern province currently stands at 2,454,788, which accounts for 12.5% of Zambia’s total population. The population density stands at 35.6 persons per square kilometre. Additionally, there are 495,616 households in Eastern province. The province consists of 19 constituencies respectively. The land area of Eastern province in square kilometres is 98,877. Agriculture is the major occupation in the province, and accounts for 20.41% of the total area cultivated in Zambia and produces 19.61% of the total agricultural production in the country with soyabeans and sunflower being the major crops grown.

There are several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that work hand in hand with the Government sectors in Eastern province. Examples of these include CSPR, ActionAid, YWCA, ZNWL, World Vision, PLAN International, Mary’s Meals and many more.

Regarding the healthcare system in Eastern province, all the districts in Eastern province have a fair share of the health posts with some newly constructed, whilst others have been earmarked for upgrading. The service provision under the health sector has gradually improved, however with some gaps such as many hospitals still not having adequate drugs. Covid-19 remains a recurring pandemic in the province.

Agriculture is the major occupation in the province, and accounts for 20.41% of the total area cultivated in Zambia and produces 19.61% of the total agricultural production in the country with soyabeans, maize and sunflower being the major crops grown.

Regarding the Education sector, Eastern province generally does well at having good pass rates. In 2022, the province had the highest pass rate for both Grade Nine (9) and Grade Twelve (12). However, children still have difficulties in having access to quality education. Adding on to persisting problems such as period poverty in schools, pupil absenteeism remains at an all-time high due to early marriages and children committing most of their time to farming activities.

Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is currently working on three projects in Eastern province. The ‘Voice and Accountability’ project is one of them, which is financially supported by the Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF), administered by the World Bank, and is provided technical support by the Partnership for Transparency Fund (PTF). This education-focused project has its sites in Mambwe, Vubwi, Katete and Sinda districts. Additionally, it is run in twenty (20) schools, both in ZEEP (Zambia Education Enhancement Program) and non-ZEEP schools. Secondly, Eastern province has a project called the ‘Fight Social and Economic Inequality through Budget Tracking and Service Delivery Monitoring’ that is running in Mambwe district and Chipata district.

It is important to note that CSPR has an Eastern Province Programmes Management Team (EPPMT) in the province, and currently has thirteen about (15) paid up network members. Some of these organizations include: Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Youth Development Foundation (YDF), Young Happy Healthy and Safe (YHHS), Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAOG), Chitsitsimutso, Save The Girls-Sinda, Chimwemwe Organization for Promotion of Early Childhood Rights and Development (COPECRED), Jumbe-Anti GBV Youth Development, God’s Children Blessings Foundation (GCBF), Chipata District Farmers Association (CDFA), CARITAS-Chipata, Girl Guide Association of Zambia (GGAZ) and Lobby and Advocacy Youth Programme 2050 (LAYP2050).