NGOCC raises concern over abuse of women in politics

The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has expressed concern that women seeking political office in Zambia continue to face intimidation, abuse and unequal treatment despite constitutional efforts to increase female representation.

Speaking on the Tuesday audition of the burning issue the  NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said women candidates are still subjected to personal attacks and political pressure that discourage them from participating in leadership.

Ms. Katebe said while the constitutional provision for proportional representation is a step in the right direction, it remains insufficient to achieve meaningful gender equality in Parliament.

She noted that the 20 seats reserved under the proportional representation system account for only about eight percent of parliamentary representation, adding that even if all women nominated through the system were elected, Zambia would still fall short of the target of at least 30 percent female representation and remain far from the 50-50 gender parity envisioned under regional and international commitments.

Ms. Katebe further said the current political environment continues to disadvantage women, citing incidents where female candidates have been publicly criticised or targeted during campaigns.

She argued that political leaders should exercise restraint when addressing women candidates in public, warning that negative remarks by influential leaders can undermine women’s constitutional right to contest elections freely.

The NGOCC Board Chairperson said politics should move away from personal attacks and instead focus on issues affecting citizens.

She urged political parties and candidates to campaign based on policies and development plans rather than engaging in insults, character assassination or gender-based attacks.

Ms. Katebe also called on society to recognise women as equal partners in national development and appealed to law enforcement agencies to act on reports of political abuse against female candidates.

She maintained that Zambia’s democracy will only be strengthened when women are able to participate in politics in a safe, respectful and level playing field.