Population Size:
2019: 17,861,030 [1]
Number of People Experiencing Domestic Abuse Each Year:
2019-2020: 26.7% of women reported having experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner. [2]
No research on male victims or other gender identities.
Cost of Domestic Abuse to the Economy Each Year:
2010: USD $474 million, amounting to roughly 2.27% of GDP. [3]
Estimated % Change due to COVID-19:
No research.
Current law and policy:
There is no specific legislation addressing domestic abuse in Zambia. Consequently, victims can only rely on existing criminal codes.
The National Centre of Domestic Violence described domestic abuse services in Zambia as being “significantly underfunded”.
An annual survey by the Victim Support Unit of the Zambia Police Service revealed that in 2015, the country recorded 18,088 cases of gender-based violence, in 2016, it recorded 18,540 such cases and in the first quarter of 2017, it recorded 16,090 cases.
Women’s ownership of land, access to education, credit and other assets have led to the creation of a significant inequality between genders in Zambia and serves to prevent women and girls from having control over their own lives.
The Ministry of Gender has been coordinating a joint, multisectoral programme on gender-based violence between the government and the UN. It involves enhancing victims’ access to health services, legal services and social protection systems.
In 2014, about 17% of Zambian girls aged 15-19 were reported to be married, compared to only 1% of boys of the same age group. The Zambia Sexual Behaviour Study from 2005 showed that 15.1% of female respondents had experienced forced sex, with 17.7% of urban female respondents having been subjected to sexual violence.
In 2017, Zambia joined the world in observing ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ with the theme of “Leave No One Behind: End Violence Against Women and Girls”, which reflected the core principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council, the focal point for women’s issues in Zambia, represents an umbrella organisation that coordinates the activities of its member NGOs, faith-based organisations and community-based organisations. Since 1985, it has advocated for the operation and scaling up of the fast-track courts. Another NGO, Women for Change, has been implementing a village-led initiative dubbed ‘One Stop Centre’, whereby community members are trained in handling gender-based violence cases and collaborating with the police. Zambia is also trying to promote male involvement in the eradication of gender-based violence through its Men and Boys Network.
Frontline Services:
The Girl Impact - https://thegirlimpact.org/ - talktous@thegirlimpact.org
Vision of Hope - http://visionofhopezambia.org/ - visionofhopezm@gmail.com
Sources