NGOCC Raises Alarm on GBV, Cost of Living and Women’s Rights
The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has called for renewed commitment to gender justice, democratic reforms and women’s empowerment as Zambia prepares to enter 2026, warning that persistent structural challenges continue to undermine equality for women and girls.
In its end-of-year reflections for 2025, NGOCC acknowledged both progress and setbacks during a year that marked 40 years of sustained advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality in Zambia.
Despite a relatively stable democratic environment, NGOCC noted that economic pressures, social inequalities and unresolved policy reforms have slowed progress on the gender agenda.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pressing concerns. According to Zambia Police Victim Support Unit data, the country recorded an average of over 10,400 GBV cases per quarter in 2025, with women and girls accounting for approximately 79 per cent of victims.
By the third quarter of 2025, reported GBV cases had risen to 31,246, up from 29,800 during the same period in 2024.
While NGOCC welcomed amendments to the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act and the classification of grave sexual offences as non-bailable, it stressed that survivor services remain inadequate, citing limited access to counselling, shelters and insufficient funding for the Anti-GBV Fund.
The prolonged energy crisis continued to strain households throughout 2025, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Load-shedding disrupted livelihoods, reduced household incomes and increased care burdens.
NGOCC urged government to implement a clear, time-bound energy diversification plan, prioritising affordable and accessible renewable energy solutions as Zambia moves into 2026.
Economic hardship intensified following the 2023/2024 drought, which triggered food insecurity, power shortages and currency depreciation. Inflation peaked at 16.5 per cent in April 2025, before easing to 10.9 per cent by November, driven largely by food prices.
Despite the moderation, the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) remains far beyond the reach of most households. NGOCC warned that women and girls face heightened risks of school dropouts, early marriages, transactional sex and limited access to healthcare and sanitary products, while fiscal pressures and debt servicing continue to constrain social investment.
NGOCC expressed concern over the delayed operationalisation of the Gender Equity and Equality Commission (GEEC), ten years after the enactment of the Gender Equity and Equality Act (2015).
The organisation stressed that the Commission is vital for enforcing gender mainstreaming across policies, budgets and development programmes, and called for stronger coordination between the Office of the President and the Gender Division in 2026.
The failure to reform the Public Order Act (POA) was cited as a major governance setback in 2025. NGOCC criticised the lack of substantive progress, warning that the law continues to restrict civic freedoms and allows for arbitrary enforcement.
The organisation reiterated calls for repeal and replacement of the Act in line with constitutional principles and recommendations from the Law Association of Zambia.
NGOCC reaffirmed its long-standing call for inclusive constitutional reforms aimed at addressing the historic underrepresentation of women in governance. While the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025 marked a milestone, the organisation noted that the law failed to address affirmative action for constituency-based seats.
NGOCC said it would closely monitor implementation while continuing to advocate for gender-responsive reforms.
With the August 13, 2026 General Elections approaching, NGOCC expressed concern that existing electoral frameworks still perpetuate gender imbalances. The organisation urged reforms to the Political Parties Act and Electoral Process Act, including the introduction of quotas for women in constituency seats.
Reflecting on a year of mixed outcomes, NGOCC celebrated its 40th anniversary and Zambia’s response to the drought, but warned that persistent GBV, high living costs, energy shortages and governance gaps threaten progress on gender equality.
The organisation renewed its call for affirmative action, legal reforms and stronger accountability mechanisms ahead of the 2026 elections.
“On behalf of the NGOCC membership, Board, Management and staff, we wish all Zambians a Happy New Year of new beginnings,” Beauty Katebe, NGOCC Board Chairperson concluded.
