NGOCC Launches ‘Her Time Is Now’ Donation Button to Break Financial Barriers for Women in 2026 Elections

The Non-Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has launched the Her Time Is Now Donation Button, a nationwide fundraising mechanism designed to address the financial barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in Zambia’s politics ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The donation button forms part of the broader Her Time Is Now campaign and aims to provide transparent, accessible financial support to women aspiring for political office. Funds raised will help cover essential campaign costs such as transport, campaign materials and logistical support.

Speaking at the launch, NGOCC Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the initiative responds to the persistent underrepresentation of women in political leadership, despite women constituting the majority of Zambia’s population and electorate.

“Women are the majority voters, the majority party members and the majority campaigners, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making spaces,” Katebe said.

She noted that structural, cultural and financial barriers continue to disadvantage women throughout the political process, adding that political parties often adopt too few women candidates and provide limited campaign support.

“Political parties still favour those with access to money, further entrenching inequality. If we are serious about democracy, we must be serious about financing women’s leadership,” she said.

Katebe described the donation button as an innovative platform that allows citizens, partners and the private sector to directly support women’s political participation. She also called on political parties to adopt more women candidates and urged aspiring Members of Parliament to mentor at least three women seeking local government positions.

NGOCC Executive Director Annie Anamela Mbewe said Zambia’s political representation does not reflect its demographics, with women accounting for over 51 per cent of the population.

“This imbalance is deeply concerning. Women have the numbers, competence and lived experience needed to govern, yet they remain marginalised at both national and local levels,” Mbewe said.

She stressed that lack of financing remains the single biggest obstacle to women’s participation in politics, particularly for women with disabilities.

“These women are willing and capable, but what keeps coming up is not lack of interest or capacity, but lack of financial resources. That is why this campaign was launched — to directly confront that barrier,” she said.

Chairperson of Women in Politics, Saboi Imboela, said systemic resource constraints filter women out long before election day through high party and Electoral Commission fees and money-driven campaigns.

“Zambia currently has only 12 per cent women in Parliament and 7 per cent women councillors. We have had enough capacity-building programmes. What we need now are initiatives that allow women to campaign on the ground and be visible,” Imboela said.

Zambia National Association of Women with Disabilities Chairperson Bwalya Chikufya emphasised the need for inclusive political participation.

“Her time is now — even for women with disabilities. Disability does not disqualify anyone from leadership, and political parties must adopt women with disabilities,” she said, adding that accessible polling stations and campaign processes are essential.

Young Women in Action Chairperson Nalishebo Siambo highlighted the importance of financial support for young women leaders, saying the donation button helps level the playing field and ensures leadership is determined by competence rather than financial capacity.

Government welcomed the initiative, with Henry Nkoma, Director of Gender in Development at the Office of the President, representing Gender Minister Doreen Mwamba. Nkoma said women’s participation in political and public life is a constitutional right.

“While Zambia has progressive legal frameworks, gaps remain between policy commitments and actual representation. As we approach the 2026 general elections, the true test of our democracy will be who participates and who is represented,” Nkoma said.

Organisers said the Her Time Is Now donation button is expected to play a central role in mobilising public and private support to increase women’s representation in Parliament and local councils, urging stakeholders to move from commitments to concrete action ahead of the polls.