By 
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has raised concern over cases of workplace harassment and gender-based violence affecting women workers, describing the situation as unacceptable.
ZCTU Secretary-General, Joy Beene, also called for increased efforts to empower women within the labour movement, stating that gender equality remained critical to building strong and inclusive trade unions.
Speaking during a Women and Youth Leadership Training Workshop held at Grand Palace Hotel, Beene said empowering women was essential for strengthening worker representation and promoting social justice in the workplace.
Beene said that despite progress made over the years, many women workers still faced discrimination in employment, limited opportunities for promotion and barriers to leadership positions within institutions.
“The labour movement should deliberately create space for women and young workers to participate in decision-making and leadership positions,” he said.
Beene added that this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” served as a reminder that women’s rights were fundamental human and labour rights that must be protected and promoted in every workplace.
He argued that trade unions that failed to include women risked weakening their structures and failing to adequately represent the interests of all workers.
“Empowering women strengthens the labour movement by bringing fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and inclusive leadership,” Beene said.
Beene said empowering women was not only a union priority but also an important step toward building a stronger labour movement and achieving sustainable national development.
According to him, unions become more democratic and responsive when women are actively involved in shaping policies and negotiating for workers’ rights.
He urged affiliate unions to strengthen women’s structures within their organisations to ensure they are active and effective.
“These structures must not exist only on paper but should be empowered to mobilize workers, influence decision-making and promote gender equality in the workplace,” Beene stated.
He also encouraged unions to invest in leadership development through training programmes aimed at equipping women with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively represent workers.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission of Zambia has condemned acts of violence allegedly perpetrated by two foreign nationals against a female employee of Zamfresh, which were captured in a video currently circulating on social media.
Commission Chairperson, Pamela Towela-Sambo, said that while the law permitted private persons to effect an arrest where there was reasonable suspicion that a criminal offence has been committed, the manner in which the Zamfresh employee was restrained was unreasonable, excessive and unlawful.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Sambo said no individual, regardless of the circumstances, has the right to subject another person to treatment that violated their dignity, bodily integrity and autonomy.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Commission revealed that the use of such extreme measures was unnecessary.
“At the time of the incident, the victim was already within Zamfresh premises, which is secured by a perimeter fence, lockable gates and doors and manned by security personnel,” she said.
Sambo said given the security arrangements, it was neither necessary nor justifiable for the victim to be subjected to the degrading form of restraint depicted in the circulating video.
She said the Commission found that the method of restraint used by the two Zamfresh supervisors was inhuman and degrading and constitutes a serious affront to the dignity every person in Zambia deserves.
“Further, the conduct of the two foreign nationals amounts to a violation of the victim’s right to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment guaranteed under Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia,” Sambo said.
She added that the victim’s right to personal liberty under Article 13(3)(a) and (b) of the Constitution of Zambia was also violated.
Sambo said the Commission had established that the victim was arrested on March 1, 2026, and detained at Lusaka Central Police Station but was not brought before a competent court of law within 24 hours, nor released on police bond as required under Sections 30 and 33(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code of Zambia.
“The Commission wishes to remind the Zambia Police Service and the general public that arrests must be conducted strictly in accordance with the law and established legal procedures,” she said.
Sambo said these procedures were anchored on the principle that every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction and must be treated humanely at all times.
She called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that appropriate investigations were conducted and that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the law.
“As the country prepares to commemorate International Women’s Day, the Commission wishes to emphasise that workplaces must be safe spaces where women are treated with dignity, respect and equality,” Sambo said.
She added that acts of violence, humiliation or degrading treatment against women in the workplace were unacceptable and undermine the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
Sambo said the Commission would continue to monitor the matter closely and would take appropriate steps within its mandate to ensure accountability and the protection of human rights.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments