Zambia

Gender-Based Violence is a problem that has been present for decades in Zambia. While it can refer to acts against both genders, Zambia has seen a rise in violence against women, particularly within the domestic sphere. Women often face domestic violence from their husbands, who may feel entitled to exert power over them, especially as the family breadwinners. Despite the existence of movements and laws aimed at protecting women, the Zambian culture emphasizes ‘shipikisha’ in marriage, which translates to endurance, leading many women return to their abusers. Unfortunately, many lives have been lost due to this issue. Economic empowerment and employment inequality significantly impact women in Zambia, where they are often viewed as secondary choices in the career pool. This perception stems from cultural beliefs that label women as liabilities due to their reproductive roles, leading to concerns about maternity leave and childcare responsibilities. As a result, employers may prioritize men for hiring and promotions, reinforcing gender disparities in the workforce and limiting women’s economic independence and professional advancement. Addressing these biases is crucial for fostering gender equality and ensuring that women can fully participate in the labor market. Child marriage and teenage pregnancies remain prevalent issues in rural Zambia, where young girls as young as nine are often married off as child brides or become victims of sexual violence, resulting in early pregnancies. Despite the existence of laws and advocacy movements aimed at combating these practices, cultural norms and economic pressures contribute to the persistence of these harmful situations. Many families see marrying off their daughters as a means of financial survival, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty and limits educational and personal opportunities for these young girls. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach that includes education, community engagement, and stronger enforcement of existing laws to protect children’s rights. Education and Literacy, even in present day when education has been emphasized on for the girl child, not many girl children have the opportunity to be educated especially if the come from a family whose economic status is bad, there is no hope except early marriage or teen pregnancies.

This story is powerful, and the data that follows shows that it is far from alone…