Protocol watch

Zambia

Zambia signed the Maputo Protocol on August 2005 and ratified on May 2006.

2015

  • Gender Equity and Equality Act: includes provisions regarding the elimination of discrimination related to gender-based violence [i]
  • The Gender Equity and Equality Act affirms a woman’s right to, on an equal basis with a man: “(a) vote in elections and referenda and to be eligible for election to publicly elected bodies; (b) participate in public decision making and formulate and implement Government policies and programmes; (c) hold public office and perform public functions at all levels of Government; (d) join, and participate in the activities of, non-governmental organisations and associations; and (e) represent the Government at the international level and participate in the work of international organisations. [ii]

2016

  • Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 includes in the preamble “confirms the equal worth of women and men and their rights to freely participate in, determine and build a sustainable political, legal, economic and social order.” It also promises gender equity in the National assembly or council. And that the two Deputy Speakers of the National Assembly shall not be of the same gender. [iii]

2019

  • To facilitate the protection, rehabilitation and legal support to GBV victims, 32 one-stop centres have been established in selected hospitals in all the ten provinces. Total of 7 fast-track GBV courts are available. The government also removed fees for medical and police reports for GBV Survivors. [iv]

2020

  • Chieftainess Kawazaof the Chewa people developed the Chiefdom Development Strategic Plan (2018-2021), which places significant priority on eliminating non-progressive social and cultural norms and practices, including a strong agenda to end child marriage. [v]

References:

[i] and [ii] Government of Zambia (2015), “The Gender Equity And Equality Act, 2015”.

[iii] Government of Zambia (2016), “The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) No. 2 of 2016”.

[iv] Republic of Zambia (2019), “Progress Reporton the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and the Outcomes of the Twenty-Third Special Session of the General Assembly (2000)”, UN Women.

[v] UNFPA Zambia (2020), “Community-driven actions to end child marriage: the critical role of traditional leaders

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