A senior Zambian government official has stated that some political parties are asking aspiring female candidates for sexual favours in exchange for selection ahead of August's general election. Mainga Kabika, the civil service head of the gender division in the president's office, urged women to document these cases. Although she did not name the political parties involved, her revelations are alarming in light of Zambia's significant gender imbalance in politics, where only about 15% of lawmakers are women.
Kabika addressed a conference of state prosecutors, sharing that numerous women have reported these solicitations, which she boldly described as 'unacceptable.' Beauty Katebe, chair of the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council, echoed her concerns, highlighting that such practices discourage women from entering the political arena. She noted that many women experience 'sextortion' during the nomination process and called for a fast-track court to handle such allegations swiftly.
This situation reflects deep-rooted cultural and structural barriers hindering women's representation in Zambian politics, with calls for urgent reforms to appropriately address sexual harassment and support female candidates leading up to the elections.
Kabika addressed a conference of state prosecutors, sharing that numerous women have reported these solicitations, which she boldly described as 'unacceptable.' Beauty Katebe, chair of the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council, echoed her concerns, highlighting that such practices discourage women from entering the political arena. She noted that many women experience 'sextortion' during the nomination process and called for a fast-track court to handle such allegations swiftly.
This situation reflects deep-rooted cultural and structural barriers hindering women's representation in Zambian politics, with calls for urgent reforms to appropriately address sexual harassment and support female candidates leading up to the elections.
