Group laments under-representation of women in leadership, urges UPND govt to enact law for inclusivity

The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has called on the UPND government to enact the long-awaited Political Parties Law to promote inclusivity in leadership across all levels of governance.

NGOCC Board Chairperson, Faides Tembatemba, said the legislation was crucial to ensuring that political parties adopt internal quotas for women, youth, and persons with disabilities as candidates for elective positions.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Tembatemba identified poverty, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and women’s low political participation as the three critical challenges undermining gender equality and social justice in Zambia.

She said that despite progress in democratic governance, women’s representation in political and decision-making positions remained disappointingly low.

“Sixty-one years after independence, women, youth, and persons with disabilities continue to be marginalized in leadership,” she said.

Tembatemba revealed that fewer than 25 women currently serve as Members of Parliament out of 167, while fewer than 150 women hold councillor positions out of more than 1,800 nationwide.

She said the imbalance undermined inclusive governance and denied the nation the benefits of diverse leadership.

“NGOCC strongly advocates for the implementation of affirmative action measures to correct this systemic imbalance,” she stated.

Tembatemba further urged the government to accelerate reforms that promote inclusive governance, gender equality, and economic justice as the country marks its 61st Independence Anniversary, in line with the Vision 2030 goal of achieving prosperity and equity.

She called for bold, gender-responsive economic policies that prioritise women’s access to resources, land, finance, and decent work, ensuring that development decisions reflect inclusivity.

“We commend successive governments, and particularly the UPND-led government, for their continued commitment to advancing Zambia’s development agenda and promoting unity and peace among its citizens,” she said.

However, Tembatemba stressed that persistent inequalities hindering women and girls from fully participating in the nation’s development must be urgently addressed if Zambia is to realise its full potential.

Tembatemba who also serves as the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) Executive Director highlighted that poverty remains a stubborn challenge, disproportionately affecting women and girls.

“Throughout Zambia’s 61-year journey, poverty has remained a stubborn challenge, disproportionately affecting women and girls,” she said.

Tembatemba noted that while strides have been made in economic growth and empowerment initiatives, they have not translated into meaningful economic transformation for most women.

She cited 2022 statistics showing that the national poverty rate stood at 60 percent, with women constituting the majority of those affected — underscoring the feminisation of poverty in Zambia.

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“This persistent inequality has constrained women’s ability to engage fully in economic life, reinforcing dependency and limiting access to opportunities. The prolonged effects of poverty have increased the vulnerability of women and girls to abuse, early marriage, and exploitation,” she added.

Tembatemba emphasised that true independence must translate into economic freedom for all, especially for women who form the backbone of Zambia’s informal economy.

She urged the government to strengthen and adequately fund mechanisms to combat GBV, expand economic empowerment programmes, and invest in education and skills development to break cycles of poverty.

“NGOCC reaffirms its commitment to partnering with government, civil society, and development partners to advance women’s rights and social justice. Together, we can build a Zambia where independence truly means freedom, equality, and opportunity for all,” Tembatemba said.

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