Zambian society has long been known for its ideals of equality and a commitment to fairness and Christian values. However, for those who look closely, it often seems like a facade.
Progressive Legislation Post-Independence
Since gaining independence in 1964, Zambia has enacted some of the most progressive laws in Africa. For instance, it granted women the right to vote upon independence—something that took the United States, often referred to as the "land of the free," 144 years to achieve after its own independence from the same colonial powers as Zambia.
In 1972, Zambia introduced the Termination of Pregnancy Act, which allowed women to legally obtain abortions.
Many Western countries, which claim to be leaders in freedom, still consider abortion to be a crime today in 2024. In fact, the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the U.S., was overturned early 2022.
Pictured: Women's March in Lusaka, Zambia
The Role of Women in Zambian History
Throughout history, Zambian women have played vital roles in various areas, serving as community mobilizers, advisors, political leaders, and the backbone of many movements. Yet, their contributions often go unrecognized.
For example, Mary Nsofwa Lombe aka Julia Mama Chikamoneka, who along with other women, famously protested colonial powers and colonization by removing their blouses during the arrival of a british delegate at the airport in Lusaka in the 1950s. Some truly recognized the significance of this protest whilst others thought it was merely for the shock value that they chose to reveal themselves. Exposure as protest was the highest form of showing displeasure and disagreement in African culture .
Many women have taken bold actions and have been vilified for doing so. Take Lenshina Mwana Lesa, who founded a religion that profoundly challenged the Zambian government and unnerved leaders like Kenneth Kaunda; she was a formidable force in her own right.
Government Support for Zambian Women and Youth
Returning to the theme of women's autonomy in Zambia, the government appears to promote it while simultaneously undermining it.
The 2024 Zambian national budget totals ZMW 177,891,868,893 (approximately 178 billion). Of this amount, only ZMW 955,832,029 (about 956 million) has been allocated specifically for women and youth.
Only 0.54% of the 2024 Zambian national budget designated to support the largest demographic in the country where the median age is 17.4yrs. A study by Restless Development in the lead-up to the 2021 elections found that approximately 4 million of the 7 million registered voters were under the age of 24.
Does the Zambian government really expect that only 0.54% of the budget will adequately serve this significant population? Or is there a disconnect in understanding the numbers here?
Disparities in Healthcare
In healthcare, the disparities become even more evident. Men can easily obtain a vasectomy without any legal restrictions—simply walk into a clinic and have the procedure done within minutes. In contrast, women's reproductive health is heavily regulated by law. The Termination of Pregnancy Act stipulates requirements regarding a woman's marital status, assuming that all women have husbands, which is not the case.
Written by Subilo Malema
Subilo Malema is a Gender Equality Advocate | Feminist Leader | Youth Empowerment Champion.
She is a passionate advocate for gender equality, human rights with a strong focus on feminist ideals, social justice, and youth empowerment. Her strength lies in ensuring the safety, rights, and leadership of young women and girls, especially in areas like Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Climate Justice, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). she believes in the power of intersectional approaches that consider race, class, gender, age, and disability to drive meaningful change.
You're spot on. A lot of things we have been fighting for, are issues that were resolved in the past. We need to sustain these movements.