Mutinta Hichilema

Mutinta Hichilema
File:Mutinta Hichilema (cropped).jpg
Office	7th First Lady of Zambia
Term start
Term end
Predecessor	Esther Lungu
Successor
Nationality
Political party	United Party for National Development
Residence
Occupation

Mutinta Hichilema (born 7 May 1967) is a Zambian public figure who has served as the First Lady of Zambia since 24 August 2021, following the election of her husband, Hakainde Hichilema, as President of Zambia in the 2021 Zambian general election.

As First Lady, she has been involved in advocacy initiatives focusing on child welfare, education, and public health.

Early life and background

Hichilema was born in Shibuyunji, Central Province, Zambia. She is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has publicly spoken on issues relating to faith, moral values, and national unity.

She married Hakainde Hichilema in 1988, and the couple have three children.

Role as First Lady

Hichilema assumed the role of First Lady on 24 August 2021. In this capacity, she has engaged in various social and community development initiatives.

Advocacy against child marriage

In 2023, Hichilema launched a campaign advocating for the elimination of child marriage in Zambia. The initiative has included engagements with traditional leaders, religious institutions, and educational establishments to promote the protection of girls' rights and access to education.

HIV and public health initiatives

She has supported awareness campaigns aimed at reducing HIV infections among young people and preventing mother-to-child transmission. In this context, she has collaborated with UNAIDS to promote public health education and community outreach efforts.

Education and special needs support

In November 2024, the Mutinta Hichilema Autism and Special Needs Centre in Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia, was handed over to the government. The centre was established to provide support services for children with autism and other special educational needs.

Hichilema has also supported scholarship initiatives for girls in secondary and tertiary education in partnership with the Merck Foundation.