SECTION TWO: PROGRESS ACROSS THE 12 CRITICAL ... - NGO …



Zambia NGO National Parallel ReportTWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOURTHWORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN AND THEBEIJING DECLARATION AND PLATFORM FORACTION (1995)OCTOBER, 2019INTRODUCTIONThe Non-governmental Gender Organisations` Coordinating Council (NGOCC), working with other CSOs, compiled this Parallel Report to highlight some of the achievements and challenges that the country has experienced in the last Five Years. The review document has taken the approach of assessing progress under each of the 12 Critical areas and linking them to global, continental and national instruments and laws including policy prescriptions. This is in light of Zambia`s implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA) and the Convention for the Elimination of all Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).Like in other processes on gender and development, NGOCC has continued to provide leadership and support to the gender agenda and ensure that women and girls’ empowerment is prioritised and accorded necessary attention that it deserves. It is NGOCC`s envisaged value of the perspectives in shaping the global agenda for women’s empowerment and gender equality. SECTION ONE: ACHIEVEMENTS, CHALLENGES, SETBACKS AND PRIORITIESAchievements scored in accelerating progress for women and girls In promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, Zambia has made strides through strengthened policy and legal framework. Several legislative and policy measures, which have directly or indirectly focused on or impacted on women, were introduced in the years under review. With regards to the legal framework, the Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 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 status. Women’s participation in political and economic spheres continued to increase steadily, albeit at a very slow pace due to the absence of quotas for women. The proportion of parliamentary seats held by women only increased from 14% in 2011 to 18.1% in 2016 while that of women at local government levels has increased by a paltry 2% overtime from 7% to now 9%. In addition, the number of women that have taken up decision making positions which have included the Vice President, the Chief Justice, Heads of Commissions and Chief Executive Officers of Parastatal Companies have increased (Zambia National Women Lobby, 2018)Zambia enacted a comprehensive legislation to end SGBV. This Act expressly provides for fair and prompt litigation of GBV related cases. However, despite this status quo, the number of GBV cases reported in the country increased from 15,153 in 2014 to 22,073 in 2018. In the absence of national level research study, this can either be attributed to increased reporting by members of the public as a result of increased awareness on SGBV but it could also mean increased incidences of such vices. This remains an area of focus for the country. On the other hand, the multi-sectoral coordination of SGBV has improved the response to GBV, including some positive steps towards availability of support services and the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond and prosecute SGBV casesThe Constitution also provides for values and national principles which include equity, equality and non-discrimination. Further, the enactment of the Gender Equity and Equality Act, No. 22 of 2015, strengthen the legal framework and has to a large extent domesticated some of the provisions of for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, the African Union Protocol to the Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women as well as the Southern Africa Development Committee Protocol on Gender and Development. These have together provided a framework for that which empowers women to participate fully in public and private sectors of the country. The challenge remains with the non-adoption of an expanded Bill of Rights to ensure that women’s rights and economic, cultural and social rights are guaranteed in the constitution to become justiciable in the courts of law. There has been inadequate political will for government to facilitate for the National Referendum for this purpose after the failed attempt in 2016 alongside the General ElectionsIn addition, Zambia has established the Gender Based Violence (GBV) Fast Track Courts for speedy adjudication of gender-based violence cases. This is so as to increase access to justice for GBV survivors and ensure timely disposal of cases. However, by and large, the opening up of Fast Track Courts in the 7 provincial capitals, has not translated into mitigating the withdrawal of SGBV cases which remains a source of concern for the women’s movement. This is also coupled with challenges of inadequate human capital within the judiciary which is relevant to making the Fast Track Court system an effective system for dispensation of justice. Resources too for supporting SGBV survivors have not been commensurate with the needs on the ground in that shelters and related services are insufficient; support services for rehabilitation of survivors, including prevention interventions targeting potential perpetrators are also inadequate. The National Gender Policy was revised in 2014 to ensure the attainment of gender equality in the development processes by redressing the existing gender imbalances. The Policy further provides for equal opportunities for women and men to actively participate and contribute to national development. The process of aligning the Policy with the Seventh National Development Plan is underway albeit at a slow pace to ensure effective implementation. The Non-governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) had to step in to partially support the Ministry of Gender with finances to convene a consultative process for various stakeholders to input into the process of aligning the National Gender Policy to the National Development Plan as well as SDGs. It can be noted that even the monitoring mechanisms of the National Gender Policy remains challenged due to financial constraints on the part of the Ministry of Gender. There lacks a broad-based approach in constantly reviewing the implementation to ensure that benefits of the policy implementation accrue to the larger women’s citizenry. The country has observed a positive trend in the Gender Inequality Index (GII) which has continued to fall from 0.627 in 2011 to 0.587 in 2015 and 0.526 in 2016. However, the high poverty levels among females in relation to males point to the limited participation of women and girls in political, social and economic activities of the country. The human rights record for Zambia remains challenged going by the shrinking space for various governance players in holding government to account. Reports of resource misappropriation and misapplication as per trends reports by the Auditor General’s office and Financial Intelligence Centre have continued to perpetuate poverty among majority citizens and hence hampering gender equity and equality.The percentage of women with access to land increased from 14.0% in 2014 to 28.3% in 2015 and 32.0% in 2017 (Ministry of Lands, 2017). The increase in access to land resulted from the country’s on-going reforms in service delivery, reinforced by the Presidential directives on land allocation to allocate at least 30% to women as an affirmative strategy while the remainder should be competed for by both females and males.The Country continues to record significant improvements in the health and wellbeing of women and girls. The Maternal Mortality Rate declined from 398 per 100,000 live births in 2014 to 278 per 100,000 live births in 2018 (ZDHS,2019). However, there still remain challenges with regard to access to health services by sections of citizens. Zambia has had incidences of pilferage of essential medical necessities and stock-outs of essential medications such as for those living with HIV and AIDS thereby posing a threat to their well-being.Furthermore, the country has made great strides to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality education and life-long learning opportunities for girls and women. The percentage of women with at least secondary school education increased from 25.8 percent in 2015 to 52.3 percent in 2016 (Educational Statistical Bulletin 2017). Challenges experienced in accelerating progress for women and girls Weak Management Information Systems and inadequate capacity at provincial and district levels make it difficult to collect administrative data. At times, collection of data is not coordinated which result in the risk of understating or overstating statistics.Limited availability of gender statistics: Available data is not always disaggregated by gender, socio-economic status, age, education, marital status, disability, and religion/ethnicity. This poses a challenge when it comes to planning and designing programme for a specific intervention and target.Feminization of poverty: Poverty still predominantly carries a female face and a rural phenomenon with poverty levels in rural areas as high as 76.6 percent compared to 23.4 percent in urban areas. According to the 2015 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey, the proportion of the population living below the poverty line in Zambia was 54.4 percent. The report further indicates that male headed households continued to have higher levels of mean monthly income of $200 compared to female headed households with $130. At National level 53.8 percent of the male headed households were poor compared to 56.7 percent female headed households. The high poverty levels among women and girls has continued to disadvantage them from participating in the development of the country. Entrenched cultural values: The Zambian culture is based on patriarchal values across tribes and are highly conservative. Therefore headship is conferred on men and this perpetuates women’s subordination in ownership, inheritance of assets and decision making in public and private spheres. The pace to the attainment of gender equality in the country has, therefore, been negatively affected by the deep rooted negative culture and mindset to embrace women and girls as equal partners in national development. Limited access to media: The role of the media in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment cannot be overstated. The cost of accessing and utilizing media services remains a challenge which prevents women from fully participating in public life and decision making.Low levels of education among women: Zambia is yet to reach education attainment levels that are commensurate with sustainable development. An estimated 22 percent of the population has had no formal education. 25 percent have completed lower primary (Grades 1 to 3), 27 percent upper primary (Grades 4 to 7), 13 percent junior secondary (Grades 8 and 9) and 11 percent senior secondary (Grades 10 to 12). Only 2 percent of Zambia’s population has completed a bachelor’s degree or above. (Educational Statistical Bulletin 2017). Low gender mainstreaming: There has been slow progress made in mainstreaming gender across all sectors of the Zambian economy. While legal and policy framework has been adequately articulated, there has been inadequate capacity building to enable implementing officers mainstream gender in their programming. There is also a general lack of appreciation for the importance of mainstreaming gender by people working in the public and private sectors which translates into a reluctance to properly implement mainstreaming strategies and participate in gender and development programmes. This has been attributed to the absence of a nationally focused gender mainstreaming institutional and monitoring mechanism that should otherwise be accelerating gender and women’s rights programming at all levels of national development.National Machinery on gender: There has been inadequate monitoring mechanisms to determine the pace of implementation of gender mainstreaming activities at national level making it difficult to track progress in a more coordinated manner. This is partly attributed to insufficient resourcing of the national gender machinery at government, civil society and private sector levels.Dual legal system: Zambia has a dual legal system consisting of statutory law and customary law. Many Zambians follow the customary law observed by their particular tribal grouping. Generally customary law perpetuates discrimination against women and children as it pertains to access to inheritance rights such as land, property, as well as marriage and conflict resolution. Setbacks faced in accelerating progress for women and girls Shrinking space for civil society: Civil society organisations have not been spared in terms of space for championing advocacy work. The Zambia Police have been selective in their application of the Public Order Act making it difficult for citizens to organise, mobilise, assemble and advance their cause around championing human and women’s rights. This has often times resulted in unnecessary detentions on those whose voices are to safeguard the rights of citizens in holding government to account. This has, to a large extent, instilled fear in most human rights defenders and advocates and has further reduced the space for civic engagement.Changing and unpredictable weather patterns: Adverse climatic changes have had effect on the energy sector which has subsequently affected productivity in most sectors. The most affected by these climatic changes are the women who are mostly small-scale farmers and constantly interacting with the environment given their roles at household and community levels.Priorities for accelerating progress for women and girls Equality and non-discrimination under the law and access to justice Zambia has to a large extent domesticated the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) by putting in place legislative measures and the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016. However, it is worth noting that despite Zambia having domesticated the CEDAW, there is need to fully implement the Convention within the Zambian policies and legal framework in order to accord the full benefits that it should have on women and girls. The Gender Equity and Equality law that was enacted way back in 2015 presents the opportunity towards domestication and needs urgent attention and resourcing for its full operationalization.The Zambian Constitution guarantees equality between women and men as it recognizes that every person in Zambia is entitled to all fundamental rights and freedoms as contained in Part III of the Constitution. Article 8 of the Constitution provides for national values and principles which include non-discrimination. The constitution has some claw back clauses which takes away some of the rights that women and girls are meant to enjoy. Therefore, the application of the Gender Equity and Equality Act No 22 of 2015 is key as it mandates public and private bodies within their ambit of responsibility to promote gender equity and equality in all spheres of life. The Act further requires them to implement special measures which actively seek to eliminate all forms of discrimination, afford both sexes equal representation and eliminate the exploitation of both sexes in the labour market. Quality education, training and life-long learning for women and girlsZambia has strengthened the legal framework by enacting the Gender Equity and Equality Act No. 22 of 2015 which, in Section 30 provides for the elimination of discrimination in education and vocational guidance. Further other measures have been put in place such as enrolment into first grade based on gender parity; Retention Policy that allows and supports girls that fall pregnant return to school, reservation of 30% of state offered bursaries to support women’s and girls’ education at tertiary level; support to girls in vulnerable households with school requisites to enable them complete secondary education under the Girls Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) project. The project seeks to increase access to secondary education for 25,000 adolescent girls in extremely poor households as well as supporting 75,000 women in life and business skills. The provision of bursaries to vulnerable girls is progressive as it accords them an opportunity to access and enhance their opportunities to engage in developmental discourse. The allocation of bursaries has not been smooth and transparent in certain times as there are reports of deserving students being left out and have on certain times been allocated to non-deserving students that have a relationship or politically inclined persons. There is need to depoliticize this process and ensure that there is equity and equality in the provision of support for education accessibility to unlock progression opportunities for more young women and girls. Poverty eradication, agricultural productivity and food securityIn Section 27, (1) of the Gender Equity and equality Act no 22 of 2015 discrimination against women in economic and social life is forbidden. In section (2) the Act places duty on the Minister of Gender to, in consultation with the Ministers responsible for Finance and Commerce, take appropriate measures in the social and economic fields, especially in the access to and control of resources by women, to ensure the full development and advancement of women on an equal basis with men; 50% of statutory land on offer for titling is reserved for women. There is need for this Act to be fully implemented with adequate funding provided to support an enabling environment that could provide for unlocking socio and economic potential for the benefit of women and girls. The country’s Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) was established through the enactment of the Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Act no 9 of 2006. The Commission by law allocates 30% of the fund to the women and 40% of the total fund to the youth. CEEC empowerment programmes have been marred with some reported biasness in allocation of beneficiaries despite the provided quota for women. There is need for application procedures and conditionalities for qualifying to obtain such loans from CEEC to be made easier and user friendly in order to unlock accessibility to the loans especially for the vulnerable women. Zambia has further put in place support measures to women and youth cooperatives with grants in form of agricultural equipment in order to increase productivity at household level and ensure food security. This is done through the Agricultural Development through Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) Project targeting women and youths in 288 Chiefdoms of the country. The goal of the ADVANCE project is to empower women and the youth through increased agricultural production and enhanced value chains for agro-products in order to improve livelihoods. So far 51 Tractors and 94 Tillers have been distributed to Women Cooperatives in 120 Chiefdoms. It is anticipated that this project will have sustainable impact especially among the women and youth in rural Zambia. However, it has been noted that the project so far has not yielded much results going by the few number of women and youth that have benefited from said agricultural equipment, mainly due to lack of transparency in awarding the same to the potential beneficiaries. The approach that was used in working through chiefs as custodians of the tractors on behalf of the cooperatives has had a setback with certain chiefs taking ownership. Traditionally women and youths do not have easy access to chiefs’ premises, causing a physical barrier in terms of accessibility to the equipment meant to advance agricultural productivity among women and youths. Food Security Pack (FSP) is a national safety-net program that promotes the provision of farming inputs to low capacity households in Zambia. In the 2018/2019 farming season, 33,892 females and 20,772 males benefited from the programme (Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, 2018). This programme has great potential to get women and other vulnerable groups out of poverty but has unfortunately been under funded coupled with late disbursements of funding affecting production negatively. The allocation of inputs has been politicised in certain cases compromising the provided selection criteria. The adverse weather patterns have not spared the effective implementation of the programme causing perpetual poverty among the intended beneficiaries. There is therefore need for government to come up with pro-poor agricultural interventions such as water harvesting for irrigation, promotion of conservation farming and modern energy saving solutions in order to enhance productivity and food security.Access to health care, including sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights The Gender Equity and Equality Act no 22 of 2015 has provided for the protection and promotion of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights of women and girls as follows in 21 (1): “A woman has a right to adequate sexual and reproductive health, which includes the right to: (a) access sexual and reproductive health services; (b) access family planning services; (c) be protected from sexually transmitted infection; (d) self-protection from sexually transmitted infections; (e) choose the number of children and when to bear those children and (f) control fertility. The positive developments in the area of health have not accorded all women and girls an equal opportunity to access services when and where they need them. Zambia has embarked on construction of 650 health posts which have taken a long time to be completed, due to limited funding. This is an opportunity that help to realise the aspiration of universal coverage to primary health care. Ministry of health, like other social sectors, have been affected by reducing allocations in terms of share to the total budget which is a threat to effective health provisions especially in light of a growing population. Going forward in order to actualize the ideal of a “healthy nation is a wealthy nation”, there is need for government to invest adequately in the health sector and reproductive health services in line with Zambia’s commitment as contained in the Abuja Declaration.Changing negative social norms and gender stereotypesThe country is implementing the National Strategy on Ending Child Marriage and its Advocacy and Communication mechanism. The Strategy addresses the human rights violations as well as development challenges associated with child marriage as a result of negative cultural and social norms in communities. The objective is to facilitate positive change in prevailing negative attitudes behaviors, beliefs and practices in order to reduce the incidences of child marriage. The strategy has not been implemented fully and has had challenges in terms of effective coordination among key partners. Patriarchy has had a toll on changing these negative social norms and continued to be a barrier to smooth implementation of this well meant strategy. Further, the country is implementing the He-For-She Campaign aimed at harnessing high level male leaders that will take a stance and raise their voices on gender equality. The campaign contributed to increased recognition of the centrality of gender equality as a means of achieving sustainable development. In addition, traditional leaders and their spouses as custodians of customs and traditions are being engaged to effectively champion, and act as agents of change towards eliminating negative social norms, beliefs and gender stereotypes. This campaign has earned Zambia a great name across the region and continent with our Republican President being the African Union Champion on ending child marriage. The results of this campaign are yet to be seen and felt so that they can positively bridge the equality gaps in terms of equal opportunities to social and economic benefits. MEASURES TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION AND PROMOTION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO EXPERIENCE MULTIPLE AND INTERSECTING FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONWomen living in remote and rural areas: Government working with CSOs have been implementing programmes such as Social Cash Transfer, Farmer Input Support Programme, Food security packs and provision of agricultural equipment through Ministry of Gender. CSOs have been providing capacity training in conservation agriculture and crop diversification to improve the productivity of women farmers and diverse their income streams. These initiatives have been impeded by physical and structural factors such as poor rood networks to ease transportation and reach of potential women and beneficiaries. Limited and erratic funding for these programmes have denied opportunities for the intended beneficiaries keeping these vulnerable people locked in poverty. Women living with disabilities: Government has been reviewing disability legislation to ensure that issues of gender are mainstreamed. NGOCC including other CSOs have been providing support to women led disability organisations so that women living with disabilities have a platform to raise issues that affect them. Government and some CSOs have deliberate affirmative actions in providing a quota system for people with disabilities which includes women. In the provision of education scholarships, and food security packs a quota has been allocated for people with disabilities. However, the legislative environment has not effectively been enforced for women with disabilities to fully enjoy their rights as they continue to still suffer some physical and structural discrimination especially when it comes to accessing buildings and other services including non-physical discrimination such as verbal or emotional discrimination. Women living with HIV/AIDS: Several programmes have been implemented by government and CSOs to support women living with HIV and AIDS. NGOCC under Churches Health Association of Zambia has been supporting programmes targeted mainly at women in rural areas in accessing ART and other related health services such as setting up Community Access Points and creating platforms for information exchange and emotional support among people living with HIV and AIDS. Despite this intervention to harness community interventions, long distances to health centres, stock outs of essential drugs coupled with continued reports of drugs expiring has had negative effect on the overall health of women and girls living with HIV and AIDS. Misappropriation and embezzlement of funds reported at the Ministry of Health, has, to some extent, eroded donor confidence who have been the major contributors to HIV and AIDS programmes in Zambia. This has negatively impacted on the level of funding that should be benefiting this category of women and girls.Younger women: The younger women still in school have been assisted with scholarships for furthering their education including provisions of books, sanitary towels and construction of boarding facilities to enable girls who live very far from schools have a decent place to sleep. Entrepreneurship and life skills have also been provided to selected young women as a way of empowering them. However these efforts are equally limited due to decreasing financial resources and have not managed to reach the increasing number of girls who experience multiple discrimination. The current need for entrepreneurship and life skills is far greater than the available resources which has left potential beneficiaries disadvantaged.Older women: NGOCC has been supporting Senior Citizens Association of Zambia (SCAZ) to contribute to improving the welfare of the aged so that they can live dignified, healthy and secured life. They have been supported with income generating activities as a source of livelihood. Government has introduced certain waivers for the older women such as non-payment of user fees in government run health centres. The older women have also been targeted for social protection programmes such as pension and food security packs. The lack of unemployment benefits, lack of empowerment focused social protection programmes and absence lifelong social security for the aged by our government is a worry and threat to the health and general welfare of the aged in Zambia. This has exposed them to high levels of poverty and other forms of vulnerability which are degrading to human life.Migrant women, Refugees and Internally Displaced Women and Women in humanitarian settings: Women in these categories have been supported in terms of basic amenities such as clothing, food, shelter and health services. The government has recently established refugee camp in Mantapala and Nchelenge to respond to the refugees coming from Congo DRC. Plan International has been providing water and sanitation services. People in Need, working with other CSOs, has been providing cash money as a start-up fund including entrepreneurship training. There have been some varied responses to the needs of women in this category which have been mainly driven by the UNHCR and other international NGOs with very little support from national government in terms of funding. The level of vulnerability for women and girls in these categories are still rife as they continue to face challenges in accessing basic amenities such as food, shelter, water, sanitation and education for their children. EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER EVENTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BPFAZambia, like many other countries in the world, have not been spared from extreme weather which has affected the implementation of the BPfA in the country. Climate change-induced disasters have continued to be a major challenge the government faces in ensuring full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (BPfA/CEDAW). The Country has been experiencing the effects of climate change for two years in a roll now resulting in extreme weather conditions, such as droughts, rising temperatures, floods and unpredictable rainfall patterns. The frequency and intensity of climate events has had negative impact on food security, health and availability of water for domestic and consequently affecting the livelihoods of women, girls, men and boys. These conditions have also adversely affected the energy provision which has had a ripple effect on manufacturing industries and threatening job security. The low energy production has led to increased use of alternative energy such as wood fuel and charcoal which largely depend on trees. This has increased the levels of deforestation as the demand for wood has increased. The extreme weather patterns have also affected agricultural production which is the main source of livelihood for the majority women especially those in rural areas. In particular, the fall in the country’s hydro-power generation in the recent period by about 600 MW has hampered growth prospects of Zambia’s productive sectors of the economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, water and sanitation, and other sectors. Other adverse effects have led to increased costs of treating climate-related diseases such as malaria and water borne diseases, the loss of natural environments, damage to infrastructure and disruption of biodiversity which has led to food insecurity. In an effort to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change, the Government is promoting the adoption of agricultural environment-friendly practices (climate smart and organic techniques,) such as conservation farming, crop rotation, agricultural intensification, less use of chemical fertilisers and creating public awareness on the adverse effects of climate change. However, the adoption and adaptation rates among women and girls in these smart agriculture practices are still low. Extension services are limited and do not reach most women in rural areas who should be benefiting from these programmes to enhance resilience. Government has put in place the Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP) to ensure that Zambia’s climate change policy, programming and funding processes effectively mainstream gender considerations to guarantee that women and men can have access to, participate in, and benefit equally from climate change initiatives. The ccGAP has not been implemented from the time it was developed which is posing as a gap in addressing the climate specific needs of women. The ccGAP was driven by Ministry of Gender which is challenged in terms of human resource and the low funding that is allocated to it. SECTION TWO: PROGRESS ACROSS THE 12 CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERNThis section covers progress across the 12 critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action. To facilitate the analysis, the 12 critical areas of concern have been clustered into six overarching dimensions that highlight the alignment of the BPfA with the 2030 Agenda. This approach is aimed at facilitating reflections about the implementation of both frameworks in a mutually reinforcing manner to accelerate progress for all women and girls. 1.Inclusive development, shared prosperity and decent work Actions to advance gender equality in relation to women’s role in paid work and employment: Zambia has ensured the same employment opportunities for women as men, including the application of the same criteria for selection in matters of employment; Strengthened / enforced laws and workplace policies and practices that prohibit discrimination, including on the grounds of marriage, pregnancy or maternity in the recruitment, retention and promotion of women in the public and private sectors, and equal pay legislation. The 2017 labour force survey (LFS) shows that the estimated labour force was 5,049,059 persons. Of these 2,289,961 were females and 2,759,098 were males. 52 percent of the labour force is in urban areas whereas 48 percent is in rural areas. 75.9 percent of the workers in Zambia are in the informal sector. The LFS further shows that the unemployment rate was at 41.2 percent. The rate was higher among females at 48.8 percent than among males at 34.8 percent. Rural-urban analysis shows that urban areas had a higher unemployment rate at 50.8 percent compared to 32.2 in rural areas. The legal framework governing equality and employment clearly outlaws all forms of discrimination, not only against women, but on the basis of race, religion, etc. However, social and cultural factors, as well as individual prejudices, cause discrimination in numerous ways inhibit the employment of women. Gender Equity and Equality Act, No.22 of 2015, Section 24, provides for equal representation and participation of both sexes in decision making by formulating and implementing policies, strategies and programmes. The Act further provides for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in public and political life and elimination of discrimination in economic and social life for women. Section 31 of the Gender Equity and Equality Act largely adopts the provisions of Article 11 of the CEDAW and provides measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of employment in order to ensure on the basis of equality with men, the same rights. This complements the provisions in the Constitution (Amendment) Act, No.2 of 2016, and Article 1, provides for the affirmation of the principle of constitutional supremacy and invalidates law or conduct that is inconsistent with the Constitution to the extent of the inconsistency. This provides that no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either in itself, or in its application to members of a particular race, tribe or system of customary law.The government implemented the 2013-2016 Decent Country Programme which has been focusing on creation of decent jobs with guaranteed social security, occupational health and safety, maternity protection, decent income within the acceptable minimum wage and paid leave as provided for in the relevant legislation. In addition, implementation of the HIV Workplace Policy which does not allow discrimination of employment on the basis of one’s HIV status is in place. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) plays a key role in the socio-economic recovery programme of the country aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth and improving the well-being of Zambians. The ministry is charged with the responsibility of formulating and administering labour laws and policies as well as monitoring and evaluating social security programmes, schemes, research development of social security standards and the promotion of social security. The ministry also safeguards and promotes the health and safety of workers in particular and generally looks into the working environment of workers through preventive actions and measures in workplaces. Furthermore, the ministry ensures harmonious industrial and labour relations in the country. It also regulates the labour and employment sector in order to enhance the sector’s contribution to sustainable social and economic development of the country.Some of the important developments in labour laws and policies in between 2015 and 2019 are as follows:The National Employment and Labour Market Policy, which the ministry is currently revising to enable the promotion of gainful and decent work, in all sectors of the economy in line with the revised Decent Work Country Programme.In an effort to enhance its capacity to ensure compliance and enforcement of occupational, safety and health standards and practices in the nation, the ministry is revising the Occupational Safety and Health Policy and amendment of the Factories Act.Furthermore, the ministry is developing the National Productivity Policy to address the institutional gaps as the main aim of this policy is to improve productivity in all sectors of the economy.There are several pieces of legislation being reviewed in labour and social security, which include the Labour Code of 2019 provides for an extended leave of up to fourteen weeks maternity leave for a female employee on production of a medical certificate. It also has provision of nursing breaks of one hour for any female employee nursing a child of less than 6 months old. There is also National Social Protection Bill 2017 and the Industrial and Labour Relations (Amendment) Bill 2017.Furthermore, the Ministry of Labour has issued the new statutory instruments to revise the minimum wages. These are: The Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment (Domestic Workers) Order; Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment (General Order) 2018; and the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment (Shop Workers) Order 2018.Another significant change is that of labour market and information. Through this system the ministry intends to offer labour market information and statistics for planning, decision making and tracking jobs created in the country. This system will provide data on skills supply, vacancy monitoring in various sectors in the country and automation of labour administration. The ministry is currently firming up this system which is being developed with the support of European Union and Germany Technical Aid in Zambia.Despite these developments, it has not materialised into improvement of most workers especially the women. A number of employers still pay their workers less than the number of hours worked for. The wages have for a long time remained low and have not been revised with the increase of cost of living. The health and safety standards are not enforced in most work places leaving most women workers vulnerable to injury without compensation. Not much has been achieved in the past five years to close the pay gap between women and men. According to ILO (2012), women continue to have difficulty accessing employment opportunities due to low educational standards and barriers in pursuing higher education. Those that work are still earning less compared to their male counterparts. Measures taken to prevent sexual harassment, including in the workplace.Some private organisations and government entities have Sexual Harassment Policies in place. Women face more sexual harassment at workplaces than males especially at points of recruitments, renewal of service contracts and promotions. Despite having such policies in place, often times there is little enforcement of these policies because of the burden of proof that is put on the victim and also the fear of being denied, or losing employment. Provided social security for women, particularly in cases of retirement, unemployment, sickness, invalidity and old age and other incapacity to work, as well as the right to paid leave. Strengthened land rights and tenure security: Access and control of land continues to be a limitation in women’s development especially in rural areas where land is customary controlled. Although government in 1996 passed the Land Act, Cap. 184 of the Laws of Zambia to provide for ownership of land including land under customary tenure through title deed and to guarantee women the possibility of being land owners, most women are still marginalized in land ownership compared to their male counterparts. As a way of encouraging women to access and have control of land, government through the Ministry of Lands, issued a circular of allocating 30% of all advertised land to women while the remaining 70% is competed for by both sexes. However, there still remain challenges in that there is no specific monitoring guideline to guarantee that the 30% is truly put in the hands of women. In addition, there is too much bureaucracy in acquiring land which often leads to women giving up (Zambia Barometer, 2013).In addition, Zambia has a draft land policy and so far, the draft policy has included gender provisions on access to land. According to the draft policy, in order to address matters pertaining to land and gender, government will review statutory and customary laws and practices that perpetuate gender discrimination. It will also mainstream gender in all institutions administering and managing land as well as implement at least 30% land ownership for women. It will further devise an advocacy and sensitization programme on gender and land nationwide. The Vision 2030 plan also states that women, men and the disabled should have equal access to productive land for socio-economic development by 2030 (Zambia Educational Statistical Bulletin, 2016).The National Land Policy has not been finalised to date despite pronouncement that this would be done. CSOs have been advocating for the finalisation of the land policy which has remained in draft since 1996 so that it can address some of the challenges that are inhibiting women from owning land. Some reforms have taken place such as improvement of service delivery in the management of Land through integration of ICTs and strengthening the legal framework. The government has since operationalized the Integrated Land Management Information System (ZILMIS) and commenced the review of the Land Policy, Lands Tribunal Act No. 39 of 2010, the Land Survey Act and the Lands and Deeds Registry Act. These reforms were reinforced by a Presidential directive on land allocation which stipulated that a minimum of 30% of land should be allocated to women. This threshold of 30% was later revised to 50% in 2017. In 2018, 32 percent of Land titles were owned by women compared to 33 percent in 2014(ZDHS 2013-2014).Despite these developments women continue to be disadvantaged in land allocation especially when it comes to cost of the land the procedures for one to have a titled land . CSOs have been complementing government`s effort through working with the traditional leadership across the country in sensitising and making provisions for women to also own land in their own rights and names including provisions of land records. Some initiatives such as Transparency for Equity and Equality in Land Administration have been undertaken to improve transparency and ensure that women get a fair share of land and be included in the village registers as rightful owners. Patriarchy still is a inhibiting factor in women accessing land and more sensitisations of traditional leaders need to be done. Improved financial inclusion and access to credit, including for self-employed women:Access to finance has been one of the challenges that most women in Zambia have been experiencing. Specific measures and strategies have been to enhance access to affordable finance. Special focus has further been on vulnerable groups, such as women and the youth through provision of productivity grants and empowerment funds. In addition, Village Banking has been promoted as a way of improving access to credit especially among women as a form of self-help efforts. The uptake of mobile money services rose from almost nil in 2014 to 14 percent in 2019 according to Financial Services Deeping Zambia. contributing significantly to the growth of the non-bank formal sector. The strategy has been to enhance access to affordable finance. These efforts have not been sufficient enough as there are still number of women who have limited access to finance due to the conditionality attached to accessing these monies. Access to modern technologies (incl. climate-smart technologies), infrastructure and services (incl. agricultural extension)An enabling environment for private sector participation in providing accessibility to modern technologies exists. Various electronic platforms that have been created to enable women and girls, including men to transact at any time and any place. Mobile forms of networks have been made accessible throughout the country with 318 towers erected out of which 193 are operational. The government y is implementing a programme to construct 1,009 communication towers across the country. Private Sector and CSOs have helped in improving technology through conducting free woman-to-woman training on a monthly basis in an attempt to build their capacity. These exercises have been extremely effective in building women’s confidence. The network has different programmes that involve schools and these include the engagement of rural girls through the Taungana Africa Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fellowship. Objectives of the network included the provision of ICT skills, training and capacity building, mentorship, facilitation of placement for suitably qualified women and provision of an interactive platform. The network provided a forum that promotes women’s participation in ICT and advocate for policies and legislation that endorse the active involvement of women in the ICT sector progress has been made. Others are one-to-one mentorship of women in technology, computers skills training in over 20 public schools, reaching up to 1,000 young minds as well as launching of the pioneering Women’s Rights App for mobile phones – WRAPP, which was featured on Facebook’s Free Basics Platform.The uptake of these initiatives has still been slow due to high illiteracy levels among girls and women, especially those in rural areas, coupled with the cost associated with the accessing the technologies. Actions to recognise, reduce and/or redistribute unpaid care and domestic work and promote work-family conciliationCurrently unpaid care and domestic work has not been included in national statistics and accounting. In the year 2015, unpaid family workers accounted for 6.3 percent of the employed. In 2017, there were more females than males in own use production work at 64.3 percent and 35.7 percent, respectively. In both rural and urban areas, the percentage of females in own use production work was higher than that of males. Government has strengthened maternity and parental leave through strengthened legal framework by enacting the Gender Equity and Equality Act, 2015 and the Labour Code Bill provides that “an employer shall not discriminate against a woman by dismissing or demoting the woman on the basis of sex, marriage, disability, pregnancy or maternity leave or subject the woman to any other disadvantage in employment”. The Act further provides that women are to be awarded maternity leave with pay, mother’s day and comparable social benefits without loss of employment, seniority or social allowances. Women and girls are working so hard but unfortunately their efforts are not recognised to contribute to the economy rendering their efforts futile. Many women especially those in private sector and self-employment still face challenges in enjoying the maternity leave provisions which are not respected by employers and even for those who are elf employed the demand to earn income for the family forces them to return to work early.Patriarchy has to a large extent contributed to non –recognition of unpaid work as it is seen as expected role of women in households. With the progressive provisions in the labour Code Bill, there is need to enforce implementation to ensure that safe spaces are created within work places for baby care. Moreover, the RSNDP framework does not account for women’s contributions to the economy by not considering the unpaid work, caregivers’ work which is mostly done by women, as well as subsistence farming. Furthermore, informal trading that has the majority of the women does not show how much women are contributing to the economy (MGCD, 2014).2.Poverty eradication, social protection and social services Actions to reduce/eradicate poverty among women and girlsThe 2015 living conditions monitoring survey has revealed that 40.8% of the country’s population is living in extreme poverty. In Zambia, 60 percent of people live below the poverty line and 42 percent are classified as extremely poor. Poverty rates are highest for female-headed households, with extreme poverty levels of more than 60 percent in rural areas and 15 percent in urban areas (CS0, 2015). Zambia’s isolation limits access to markets and technical training or skills, which hurts the economy and contributes to poverty. Food insecurity is high, as more than 350,000 people in the country do not have access to a regular food supply. Due to high food prices coupled with extreme poverty, families spend 64 percent of their income on basic food needs.In order to respond to poverty challenges that the majority of the women and girls are faced with a number of economic measures have been initiated to empower women financially and indirectly create job opportunities. These initiatives have supported women’s entrepreneurship and business development activities. The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is implementing the Business Linkage programme aimed at creating synergies in industry and market access for micro, small and medium enterprises. This has not included most of the women led small scale enterprises which are mainly in rural areas who have no access and information of the programmes that ZDA is implementing. So far, 1,059 small and medium enterprises have been linked to markets while 1,274 enterprises were provided with business development services. Government launched the 50 Million African Women Speak (50MAWS) project in 2018. This is a digital platform App which is available via web and on mobile devices. The platform is intended to empower millions of women in Africa to start, grow, and scale up businesses by providing a one-stop shop for their specific information needs. This project is anchored under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The connectivity challenges that most women and girl in rural areas are facing do not offer for an opportunity to tap into this opportunity and thus are left out from such initiatives. The cost associated with buying a phone and non-availability of power to charge their phones are a hindrance to appreciation of such technologies for the women The Government’s strategy has been to enhance access to affordable finance. Special focus has further been on vulnerable groups, such as women and the youth through provision of productivity grants and empowerment funds. Under the Girls Education and Women Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) project Government is providing productivity grants of $200 to each of the 75,000 beneficiaries to engage in a business of their choice. Further, Government under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has reserved 30% of the fund to women entrepreneurs for increased participation. Women Savings and Loans Schemes also referred to as Village Banking, enable them to access credit at a low interest rate and share out the profits. The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) has acknowledged the role of village banking to facilitate access to finance for women and especially those in lower incomes. In addition, there has been a deliberate measure to increase mobile banking and money transfer services which has the flexibility of depositing, withdrawing and capturing low income earners especially rural areas. The uptake of mobile money services rose to 14.0% contributing significantly to the growth of the non-bank formal sector. There are thousands of micro finance institutes operating across the country, the majority of which are unregulated by the government and not accountable to any legal authority. These companies charge exorbitant interest rates on loans issued. The result has been widespread indebtedness among women from low-income households, in the urban and rural areas as most of them women are unable to repay loans. Most women do not afford the cost of borrowing and as are excluded from accessing finance that could potentially empower them economically and increase food security at household levels. CSOs are also providing agricultural inputs and extension services to vulnerable but viable farming households. The 2016 Second National Agricultural Policy recognised enhancement of women’s participation in the agriculture sector and their access to productive resources including integrating gender issues at all levels of agricultural development although this has not realised the expected gains for women and girls in agriculture. Input distribution has often time been late an do not offer wide variety for women to choose what crop they would prefer to grow as the decision on what to offer them is made by the institutions offering this free service. Agriculture is one of the lowest funded sector despite pronouncements that it is one of the government`s priority. The agricultural policies are still maize centred, which is a man`s crop, and little effort is provided to diversify the sectorThe other programmes that have been implemented to contribute to women’s economic empowerment programmes range from agriculture, land ownership, small business enterprises and other forms of trade. Some of the women focused enterprises include Zambia Federation of Associations of Women in Business (ZFAWIB) whose overall purpose is empowering women economically. It provides small loans for micro-entrepreneurs and training in small business development. Women Entrepreneurs Development Association of Zambia (WEDAZ) is another body that has stimulated the economic empowerment of women and youth in Zambia through skills and business management training and the provision of funding and marketing support to micro-entrepreneurs. Association of Zambia Women in Mining (AZWIM) is an organisation of women involved in the mining sector. NGOCC through the Basket Funding mechanism supported AZWIM in acquiring four (4) machines for cutting, tumbling and polishing of the gemstones and training of its members to improve skills in processing. The sustainability of such initiatives is threatened by donor dependence for resources, thus, limiting the potential to reach more women. Actions to improve access to social protection for women and girlsSocial protection is recognised in Article 4 of Convention for the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as a responsibility of every government. It is useful in helping to reduce poverty and improve the lives of its citizens especially the vulnerable women and girls.Social protection, if implemented well and taking a development and empowerment approach, can tremendously contribute to getting people out of poverty. The Government of Zambia has made significant strides in the implementation of the vision of the NSPP, particularly in the area of non-contributory social protection. The government flagship social assistance programme intervention – the Social Cash Transfers – is envisaged to be scaled up nation-wide, and to reach over 500,000 vulnerable households. The number of beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer programme increased from 51,106 in 2012 to over 600,000 in 2018. In terms of gender disaggregation, data from the programme shows that in 2018, 71% of the beneficiaries were female.However, this programme has suffered setbacks and is behind in terms of implementation given the challenges that the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services faced of misappropriation of funds meant to benefit the vulnerable women and girls. This saw of withdrawal of funding for this programme. The ultimate effect has been on the beneficiaries mainly women, girls and other vulnerable groups who have lagged behind in receiving the assistance they needed The Food Security Pack (FSP) programme is another non-contributory programme. This programme is in line with SDG Goal 2 which appeals to the nation to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. The FSP programme targets the vulnerable but viable households, who are given access to productive agriculture inputs in form of seed to engage in food production and thus improve their food security situation. In 2018/2019 farming season 33,891 females and 20,771 males benefited from the programme In addition, Government is also providing agricultural inputs to vulnerable but viable farming households. In the 2018/2019 farming season, the target number of beneficiaries was 80,000 households. FSP programmes have been characterized by late disbursements of funds. This had had an effect on early distribution of these packs to the intended women and other vulnerable groups User fees removal policy in health and subsidized access to the social health insurance scheme, once implemented, is the key instrument to achieve universal access to health care across the lifecycle for all poor and vulnerable households. Despite the removal of the fees, vulnerable women still suffer the blunt of unavailable medications and are being forced to buy medications whose costs they cannot afford.Access to primary and secondary education amongst the poor and vulnerable is achieved through a combination of primary school fee waivers (universal free access to primary education policy) as well as targeted secondary school waivers following the approach of the “Keeping Girls in School” intervention, broadening the focus to both girls and boys. The limited funding and unclear targeting system has limited the girls opportunity for education., The Home-Grown-School Meals have multiple objectives, including improved nutrition, improved education attendance, improved education performance, and improved community economy. While supporting the linkages to educational targets and local community economy spill-over, the main objective under the IFBSPP is improved nutrition under the social assistance pillar for primary-school-going children. The feeding programme is lowly funded and has not reached the targeted number of children for the programme. The Public Welfare Assistance Scheme responds to idiosyncratic (household specific) shocks and is administered at community level on need basis (social, health and education support such as in-kind assistance with clothing, roofing, referrals and counselling as well as payments of fees, repatriation of stranded persons, etc.). According to its newly approved guidelines will be coordinated with other health and education fee support above and replace the OVC-bursaries scheme in catering for indirect schooling costs. The poor funding and biased application of the criteria in certain instances has left out the deserving women and girls from the programme exposing them to further levels of poverty and other vulnerabilities. Actions to improve education outcomes and skills for women and girlsEducation remains a fundamental and universal human right and an empowerment equalizer. It is a pre-requisite for economic growth, human development and poverty reduction. The gender parity achieved in some areas in the education sector need to be sustained through addressing the factors that may reverse the status quo especially problems that result in school drop outs. The Beijing Platform for Action emphasises that education is a basic human right and an essential tool for achieving the goals of equality, development, and peace. The right to education for all has been a long-standing commitment for Zambia.Significant gains in increasing access to education, but the education system continues to be plagued by inadequate resources, poor education quality and low progression rates. In collaboration with the government and other implementing and cooperating partners, these education programs aim to increase learners’ performance in the early grades, and target foundational literacy skills. In Zambia, gender disparities in education are still wide. At primary level of education, there have been significant improvements in closing the gender gaps between girls and boys. The improved net enrolment ratio has been supported by the increased construction of education infrastructure, introduction of free education and the Re-Entry Policy. The Re-Entry Policy focuses on providing an opportunity for young mothers to complete their primary education by going back to school as a direct response to persistent gender gaps in education. However, it has been observed that the gender gap widens as the grades increase towards grades 9 and 12, as the ratio for the boys to girls reaching and completing the two grades reduces significantly. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) at primary school shows that for every 100 boys enrolled there are 99 girls while at secondary school level, GPI drops to 84 girls for every 100 boys. Among the reasons cited for the low completion rates for girls are early marriages, lack of positive role models and the general poverty situation, especially in the rural areas of the country. These factors are further compounded by the long distances to schools that girls have to travel, lack of adequate and or separate of wash rooms with running water for girls. This therefore calls for more investment in education and skills development as well as advocacy for free secondary education in order to enable the country overcome the challenges of low progression rates to higher education levels, gender disparities in participation rates as well as variations in participation rates across the rural-urban dichotomy.The programs also strengthen the capacity of teachers and school administrators to better deliver education services, and provide improved teaching and learning materials. A well-educated population in both the private sector (to stimulate economic growth) and the public sector (to provide effective services) is essential to reduce poverty and eliminate the need for donor assistance. Despite the investment in training teachers for the profession, the job opportunities for recruitment are so limited. Currently Zambia has over 40,000 qualified teachers who are not employed (Zambia Teaching Council, 2019). Funding to this sector is limited and has continued to disadvantage the female teachers who deserve to be employed.Further, the Government has put in place Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) as one of the priorities in promoting girls child school attendance. MHM is one of the main strategies for keeping girls in school and increasing the numbers of educated girls and women in the country. Due to poor sanitary conditions in most schools in Zambia, many girls tend to be absent for 3-5 days every month of school whenever they are menstruating. Government has not prioritised water and sanitation provisions in most rural schools which has consistently posed as challenge for girl children to enjoy a safe and dignified environment for menstrual management contributing to school absenteeism during menses.Education system in Zambia affords equal participation in sports and physical education for both males and females. The school Curriculum has included Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) which is age appropriate, including information on family planning for all students in schools. The implementation of programmes in the Education sector is currently guided by the National Education Policy of 1996 and the Education and Skills Development chapter of the Seventh National Development Plan . There are still implementation gaps with CSE most schools especially rural areas due to limited capacity of teachers and availability of materials contributing to the information gap among the girls in rural areas. In addition, there are other subsector policies guiding the sector such the Free Primary Education (FPE) policy and the Re-entry Policy. The FPE provides for the removal of user fees, and examinations fees up to Grade 7. The policy also provides for the optional use of uniforms, unconditional readmission of out of school children and free education requisites such as exercise books, pencils, pens, and rubbers. Despite this free policy parents and guardians continue to incur other hidden costs such as uniforms, transport, food and so on hindering access to education by all especially girl children Similarly, the Re-entry Policy provides for the retention of pregnant girls in school after delivery. The proportion of girls that go back to school after taking leave due to pregnancies has continued to increase from 45.1 percent in 2014 to 55.6 percent in 2017. The number of girls who prefer going back to school after pregnancy has been met with resistance from parents, guardians and teachers who are not willing to provide support. At secondary level, the focus on helping girls stay in school, given the proven benefits of additional years of education for girls, including stronger career prospects, and lower chances of teenage pregnancy and child marriage. Through the Girls 2030 project, this has helped in providing financial literacy, life skills, career guidance and internships to adolescent girls. The Re-entry policy is still facing some resistance among certain sector of the society such as faith -based schools who do not re-administer girls who fall pregnant. Parents and guardians are also reluctant to support girl who fall pregnant financially and in baby caring as it is blamed on the girl. Report by Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC,2019) also showed that there are still lapses in implementation of the Re-Entry guidelines Another strategy that was aimed at promoting girl-child education in Zambia was the 50-50 Enrolment policy. There is a serious shortage of primary and secondary school places resulting from inadequate investment in infrastructure over the years. As a result, access to secondary education is more costly compared to primary schools due to limited school places. Despite the upgrading of 220 primary schools into junior secondary schools brought about by the policy change from the basic and high school education system to the primary and secondary school education system, there is still a serious shortage of secondary school places. Zambia has made steady progress in promoting access and participation especially at primary school level where nearly all the children are currently enrolled in school due to massive investment in infrastructure and declaration of free primary education. The enrolments in Early Childhood Education also doubled during the period 2014 to 2015 although about three quarters of children at this level are still out of school. At primary school level, the education system has managed to capture an equal number of boys and girls especially in the lower Grades from Grades 1 to 3. Thereafter, children, especially girls, start dropping out of school leading to a reduction in the number of children especially as children transition from Grades 7 to 8, and Grades 9 to 10 respectively. However, the major problem that transcend across all the education subsectors is the poor quality of education. Thus, Zambia’s pursuit for quality education has remained inadequate as the key elements that are critical in bringing about improvements in learning outcomes are mostly left out. This gap has manifested itself in the low learning achievement levels across all the subsectors with average learning achievement scores at Grade 5 being below 40 percent across most subjects with the poorest performance being in mathematics and science at both primary and secondary school levels.In terms of budget support, the education sector receives a seemingly high budgetary allocation compared to other sectors. However, the allocation to the sector is inadequate to achieve all the planned targets to significantly impact on the access and quality of education at all levels. Given that the largest share of the allocation is spent on administration and management, very little resources are left to invest in the quality of education. More so, the placement of more emphasis on primary and secondary education has meant that both investment and progress in other subsectors has been very limited. Zambia has achieved near universal primary school completion levels - national statistics?indicate a completion rate of 91.8 per cent?at Grade 7.?For children in the early years, the coverage of care, learning and education services remains persistently low. Overall, girls continue to be at a disadvantage with a large?number of them dropping out in the upper primary and secondary grades, and poorer levels of transition to junior secondary and senior secondary levels. It is worrying that over 800,000 children who are eligible to be in school are out of school according to the Zambia Open Community School Report of 2019.Transition rates from primary to secondary school continue to remain low at 67.5 per cent, mainly?due to the lack of places to accommodate all primary school graduates. Other barriers to children transitioning and completing secondary school include school fees introduced in Grade 8, other costs related to education (such as the cost of not otherwise contributing to household income), and the long distances to many schools. For girls at secondary level, there are also barriers around the lack of menstrual hygiene facilities, the low value placed by some communities on girls’ receiving?a secondary education, teenage pregnancy, and child marriageThe quality of education also continues to be a challenge, though?national assessments have shown significant improvement in this area. Nevertheless, the country's targets for achievement have not yet been met, for instance the?target of an average?score of 40 per cent?in language and mathematics was not reached in either Grade?5 or Grade 9. The number of children passing the Grade 9 and Grade 12 examinations continues to be low, at 55.3?per cent?and 64.8 per cent?respectivelyThe Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Act No. 31 of 2016 provides for the government to support students in Higher Education Institutions in the form of loans that will be recovered during the students' subsequent working life. The scholarship were meant to enable women and girls from low income households have access to education but unfortunately these have become competitive with these from better off households making it even more difficult for the vulnerable women and girls . The disbursements of these students loans have not been smooth making it difficult for the vulnerable students to access them on time. 3.Freedom from violence, stigma and stereotypesActions to address violence against women and girlsIn recent years, Zambia has witnessed improvements in the fight against GBV and child marriage, including increased reporting of GBV and government commitment to support victims. Zambia recognises that gender-based violence, in particular violence against women, constitutes one of the biggest obstacles to women’s participation in decision-making and severely limits their ability to participate in economic and social activities. Yet efforts to eliminate GBV are likely to continue to yield limited results due to a number of problems key of which are inadequate services and weak institutions for addressing GBV, poor information communication systems and patriarchal attitude that restrain men from reporting incidences of ernment and CSOs have continued to implement various strategies aimed at eradicating GBV. The strategies implemented include: One Stop Model (One Stop Centres) in health facilities; Reporting and Referral Mechanism Guidelines; National Policy on the Management of Gender Based violence Survivors, National Strategy on Ending Child Marriage and the National Multi-sectorial Training Manual on Violence against Children. USAID supported 24 anti-GBV One Stop Centers which were handed over to the Ministry of Health. YWCA, World Vision Zambia and other CSOs have been running and supporting these one stop centres. Despite these positive developments support to these centres has been limited making it difficult to run them effectively. The centres are also inadequate and are not available in certain areas especially in rural areas posing accessibility challenges by women and girls who might need them. The government has further established a Gender Based violence Unit under the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) to ensure the provision of specialized investigation and prosecution of GBV services which are still centrally operated and have no establishment at the district level to afford readily available services by women and girls. Establishment of Fast track courts to deal with Gender Based Violence-GBV- related cases has made Zambia to receive continental recognition as one of the Countries in Africa that has made positive strides in fighting Gender Based Violence-GBV-.Six (6) GBV Fast Track Courts have been established and the Rules of Court to enable survivors of GBV to access legal remedies under the Anti GBV Act No 1 of 2011.The fast track courts are inadequate and only in few selected towns which is posing as a challenge in terms of speeding up access to justice in areas where they do not exist. Further, a Witness Fund under the NPA has been created to address the challenges that witness face such as mobility during trial. The government has further developed the legal Aid Policy in 2018 to provide legal aid services to the indigent in society. Zambia has a Gender Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) Pilot installed in thirty (30) One Stop Centres (OSCs) in selected districts. The system is still having some teething challenges to offer accurate and prompt information and need to be improved to capture some missing elements to improve responsiveness and decision making by the users of the information. Traditional Leaders have worked with Zambia Centre for Communication Programme (ZCCP) as change champions through the Anti-GBV Chiefdom Secretariat approach. Through this initiative, these leaders have supported the retrieval of over 800 girls from early marriage. This is a significant achievement of the recently-ended USAID GBV Prevention and Advocacy Project Traditional leaders have sometimes continued to the occurrence and non -reporting of cases especially where women are victims because of their reliance on customary law which is very discriminatory to most women. NGOCC has been working with and through traditional leaders and Ministry of education to retrieve 254 girls since 2016 from child marriage (NGOCC Annual Report, 2018). The programme has been faced with challenges as not all girls retrieved from marriages actually go back to school for varied reasons such as limited financial support and baby care. Strategies to prevent violence against women and girls The strategies implemented include:Government and CSOs have worked with and through traditional and religious leaders, media on Gender Responsive reporting to create awareness on GBV. Working through media such as Radio and TV talk shows has increased sensitisation to the public. Targeted training and creation awareness among the Police officers, psychosocial counselors, health providers, and judicial officers on the management of the Anti GBV Act.Cooperating partners and CSOs have been provided with resources to combat violence against women through awareness raising activities including establishment of the shelters for survivors of GBV. The women and girls GBV survivors have been trained in basic entrepreneurship skills, as well as including Male involvement in addressing violence against women. In addition, the government developed and implemented the Reporting and Referral Mechanism Guidelines. Development and implementation of the legal Aid Policy to provide legal aid services to the indigent in society. Establishment of a Gender Based violence Unit under the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) to ensure the provision of specialized investigation and prosecution of GBV services.Establishment of Witness Fund under the NPA to address the challenges that witness face such as mobility during trial. Development and implementation of the National Policy on the Management of Gender Based violence Survivors,Development and implementation of the National Strategy on Ending Child Marriage and its costed National Plan of Action Development and implementation of the National Multi-sectoral Training Manual on Violence against Children; Development and implementation of the Gender Based Government Information Management System (GBVIMS)School initiatives are well placed to prevent violence against women. School-based programmes have been used to address gender norms and attitudes before they become deeply ingrained in children and youth. Such initiatives address gender norms, violence and sexual abuse among teenagers and young adults. Media interventions can alter gender norms and promote women’s rights. Public awareness campaigns and other interventions delivered via television, radio, newspapers and other mass media can be effective for altering attitudes towards gender norms. The most successful are those that seek to understand their target audience and engage with its members to develop content. ZAMWA is leading Advocacy and Media cluster of the Tisunge Ana Athu Akazi Coalition (TAAAC) on Sexual Violence against adolescent girls in schools. The coalition is comprised of eight Civil Society Organisations namely: PPAZ, CAMFED, YWCA, FAWEZA, ZNWLG, ZARD, WLSA and Population Council. The project is sponsored by UN Trust Fund to end Violence against women through Equality Now. With support of Oxfam, Zambia National Women’s Lobby is implementing ‘I Care about Her Campaign’ with the aim at reducing violence against women and girls through men taking a leading role. The campaign seeks to work with men and boys (as primary change agents) to speak out and act against violence targeted at women and girls. The campaign also works with women groups as complimentary change agents.The initiatives listed above to combat GBV have not been smooth. The legal frameworks have not been implemented in certain instances and limited provision of funding to actualise the aspirations. Legal aid services are still not readily available and accessible for the majority women and girls who do not have information on their existence and how and where to access them. Most of the NGO led initiatives are donor driven posing a sustainability challenge and limitations in terms of reach.Actions to address the portrayal of women and girls, discrimination and/or gender bias in the media Zambia has developed a policy under the Zambia Information Communication Technologies Authority (ZICTA) to deal with online related sexual harassment The National gender policy has provided for development of guidelines for media coverage on positive portrayal of women and girls.Some CSOs have been working with media institutions to improve portrayal of women in the media. Media institutions have been trained in gender. Other initiatives are led by PANOS institute which seeks to increase the influence of women leaders through the media, using women’s positive public images and profiles to mobilise participation and increase influence. The media has been used to challenge political systems and structures that marginalise women, increase positive images of women leaders and women’s voices in the public media, increase the use of social media platforms and creative arts to stimulate positive debates on women leadership and influence including building capacity of the media and the creative sector in promoting women leadership.Zambia Media Women Association (ZAMWA) has been supporting women journalists using media as a powerful tool to advance issues that affect them for social change and agenda setting. Women and girls continue to suffer negative publicity and their coverage in the media is still insufficient to make a difference. The cost associated with accessing the media has continued to be an impediment to access the media.Actions to address violence against specific groups of womenTraining/Capacity building (Police, Health Care Workers, Counselors and Others): NGOCC and other CSOs have been training the police so that they could provide counseling, legal recourse and other supportive services to the survivors of GBV. Other CSOs have been training health workers, counsellors and other first line service providers to effectively respond to GBVCounseling and Medical Services: One stop centres have been established to deal with cases of GBV by providing health services and counseling for GBV survivorsRehabilitation Services/Provision of Shelters: Safe homes have been established to provide a comfortable and safe environment for GBV survivors. The challenge is that these homes inadequate and found in a selected areas across the country Hotlines and Helpline Services; Toll Free Lines have been established by both the government and CSOs with support of communications companies so that survivors of GBV and anyone who may wish to report and seek counselling can have the access. Women and girls in rural areas still experience challenges to access these free lines because of lack of mobile coverage within their areas.Mobilizing men in the fight against GBV Awareness raising, mobilization and advocacy has been key. Zambia Network for Men has been instrumental in denouncing GBV and complementing the work that women`s movement have been doing.The initiatives listed above are still confronted with financial challenges affecting the quality and readily availability the services by women and girls especially those in rural areas. It is also worth noting that, in spite of Zambia being among countries who have adopted a multi-sector approach in addressing gender-based violence in the region, it is still a challenge to strengthen coordinating mechanisms between sectors to ensure delivery.?4.Participation, accountability and gender-responsive institutionsZambia recognises that sustainable development and good governance is dependent on women taking part in all decision-making processes. The absence of a legislative framework for affirmative action to ensure attainment of gender quota systems for political parties and in urban and rural councils is a key hindrance to achievement of gender parity. Other underlying factors that perpetuate gender disparities in candidature in the electoral process and participation in public office such as lack of resources for the campaign process, lack of civic education, cultural perceptions, gender-based violence and intimidation need a strong political will to be effectively addressed. The last three factors also limit the participation of girls in leadership positions at a young ageWomen in Politics and Public Leadership Positions The Zambian political landscape however remains dominated by men to the exclusion of women who constitute over 50 percent of the population. Despite the country signing a number of international and regional protocols and conventions on gender equity and equality, NGOCC and other stakeholders have been concerned with the low numbers of women vying, adopted by political parties and elected for political positions and as leaders, particularly at local government and parliamentary level. According to Zambia’s National Gender Policy (2014), women remain largely underrepresented in decision making positions at all levels of key institutions. The low numbers of women in decision making positions has not helped in addressing gender inequalities which continue to exist in all sectors at all levels and hence giving rise to negative implications on national development. This is despite women’s participation in decision making having been identified as critical to sustainable development. There is also empirical evidence that women’s participation at the political level has resulted in greater responsiveness to citizen’s needs, often increasing cooperation across party and ethnic lines and delivering more sustainable peace.Strengthening women’s rights and addressing barriers to political participation are critical to achieving gender equality and female empowerment. One of the key legal provisions is article 259(1) (b) of the constitution, which provides that where a person is charged with the responsibility of making an appointment or nomination to public office, that person should ensure that 50% of each gender is nominated or appointed as the case may be .The Government has implemented practical measures aimed at promoting women in decision making positions. To this effect, Article 45(1) (d) of the Constitution provides that the electoral system shall ensure gender equity in the National Assembly or Councils. In addition, Section 17(1) of the Gender Equity and Equality Act places a duty on all public bodies to promote gender equity and equality. Additionally, Section 26 of the Act provides for special measures on gender equity and equality to meet particular challenges facing women living in rural and peri-urban areas and recognize the significant role that such women play in the economic survival of their families, especially in the non – monetized sectors of the economy. CSOs have provided training for female members of political parties and parliaments and supporting the development of women’s caucuses included providing skill building and leadership training for women civil society members, women’s organizations, and female journalists. This has been coupled with building capacity for civil society organizations to advocate for women’s participation in political transitions and governance processes. Other initiatives include improving women’s access to justice and increasing women’s participation and representation in the justice sector. CSOs have supported local efforts to advocate for legal rights that enable women to participate fully in the political and economic life of their societiesSome examples of such initiatives include The Zambia Accountability Programme (ZAP) which provided support to the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) to help implement a project that focused on increasing female representation in elected positions at national and local levels. To align with the longer-term objective to sustainably increasing women’s representation in Zambia, the project also focused on gender empowerment and building the confidence and capacity of further cohorts of women to become politically active. Zambia National Women`s Lobby has been implementing project aimed at grooming female candidates for effective participation in the elections. The project, ‘Count Me In’ seeks to enhance the political leadership skills of female politicians. ZNWL is also implementing the Girls Leadership Programme with the aim of reducing socio-economic barriers faced by young women and girls in order to enhance their ability to participate in leadership and decision making. ZNWL and NGOCC have implemented programmes on Women in Politics: Strengthening Women in Local Government for Increased Participation in Politics. This project`s aim is strengthening gender equality in politics at the local level through capacity building, cross-party cooperation, lobbying, advocacy and inclusive political party structures.There are no laws preventing women or members of minorities from voting, running for office, and serving as electoral monitors, or otherwise participating in political life on the same basis as men or nonminority citizens, and women and minorities did so. However, is s important to note that traditional and cultural factors prevent women from participating in political life on the same basis as men. For example, the constitution requires a high school education for all elected officials, which had the effect of disqualifying many female candidates, who often could not complete studies due to traditional or cultural factors such as early marriages and the prevailing patriarchal system, from running for office.Less than 20 percent of the members of parliament were women, and few women occupied public decision-making positions. The 2016 constitutional amendments and adoption of policies and programs to promote the participation of women and other minorities resulted in the appointment of more women to leadership positions. Since then a number of women have been appointed to leadership positions, particularly in the judiciary and on corporate boards such as those of the National Pensions Scheme Authority and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation. The number of women in parliament increased to 30 from 28, of a total 164 members of parliament. According to the NGOCC, women’s participation in political life at the local governmental level was 9 percent. This level of participation remained low despite the country’s commitment to 50-50 gender parity articulated in regional and international protocols, NGOCC reported.According to Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), the selective implementation of the Public Order Act by police not only affected political parties, but also undermined women’s ability to participate fully in elections and political life. Intimidation and political and electoral violence, as well as a lack of resources, also prevented women from participating in political life more broadly. The patriarchal system further undermined women’s participation in decision making due to societal expectations and norms for the traditional role of women.Zambia’s statistics indicate that although there has been an increase in the number of females appointed in the Judiciary. Supreme Court Judges stand at 31%, High Court Judges at 56%, Constitutional Court at 56%. At Cabinet and Permanent Secretary level, the statistics are 31% and 25% respectively while at traditional leaders’ level, females represent a paltry 9%, the same as female Chief Executives in corporate institutions. The same trend has been registered at Parliamentary and Local Government level where women’s representation has always been very low currently at 18.1%, (29) women Members of Parliament, 26 elected and 3 nominated, out of the 164 MPs) and 8%aand 8% Mayors/Council Chairpersons.Table 1: Participation levels of women in politics in Zambia as at January 2016Indicator1991199620012006201120152016% women in parliament6121214111317% of women in local councilsNo data available797669 Source: Zambia National Women’s Lobby, 2016 Gender Audit ReportIn light of some gains made in women`s participation in decision making processes, the low levels of women’s representation in political decision making is an indication that Zambia will fail to SDG Target of female representation in Parliament. Furthermore, Zambia failed to meet the provision of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which aimed at a 50-50 representation between women and men in Parliament. The non-existence of a quota system in terms of representation in Government, political parties and Civil Society Organisations. Experience shows that countries, which have performed well on female representation in politics, such as Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda have adopted legal frameworks that guarantee parliamentary seats for women. The perpetuation of the patrilineal system of administration in the social institutions prevents women from aspiring to positions of decision making. The poor socio-economic status that most women found themselves in prevents them from attaining the required qualifications, which were a key prerequisite for progression to decision making positions. This is coupled with limited numbers of women willing to engage in public life due to the socialisation process which discouraged women from taking a leading role in the public sphere.Women and media It is widely acknowledged that media has an important role to play in influencing policies and attitudes towards equality between men and women. It is further acknowledged that this ideal can be achieved when women and men are equally contributing as news sources. Zambia has committed itself to taking measures to promote the equal access to media, ICTs, representation of women in ownership of, and decision-making structures of the media through policies and dialogue. Citizens' access to accurate information on diverse political, economic and social issues is essential for the development of an informed population within a democracy. The media is a major resource in societies for the dissemination of information, knowledge and ideas and messages, as well as spaces for the public to engage in discourses on current affairs. Gender activists recognize the critical importance of the media in changing attitudes and mindsets, but have not always been strategic in engaging journalists.Without policies to target women it remains difficult for the country to attain the SADC Gender Protocol target of equal representation by 2015 and to influence equality in media. One of the spectacular landscape changes in the region has been the opening up of the print and electronic media sectors. In Zambia, media, information and communication are considered important mechanisms to deliver the social and economic needs of development. Zambia therefore strives to ensure universal access by both men and women to media and ICTs. Zambia has developed gender sensitive ICT and Media policies that are buttressed by the provisions in the Constitution which provides for media freedom. Engendering media and ICTs planning is a critical commitment as revealed in the international, regional and national frameworks on ICTs. The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development Article 31 encourages State parties to put in place gender sensitive ICT policies and laws in order to ensure women’s and girl’s access to information and communication technology. The protocol also aims to promote equal representation of men and women in ownership and in decision making structures of media, in accordance with Article 12.1 that provides for equal representation of women in decision making positions by 2015. Despite efforts to engender policies and ensure universal access and equity in ownership and decision making in media and ICTs, gender parity is yet to be attained. Men constitute two-thirds of employees in media houses, with women making up only 33%. Women constitute 27% of those on boards of directors in media houses and 11% of top management posts in media houses in Zambia. This shows the “glass ceiling” that women come up against in the media - barriers to their breaking into management.Whereas men are more likely to be employed full-time than women, and make up 90% and 70% of those in full-time, fixed-term contracts and full-time, open-ended contracts respectively, Women predominate in the part-time category at 70%. This is the category with the least job security.While women in the Zambian media are under-represented in all areas of work, they are more numerous in areas considered to be support roles, such as in the finance and administration departments (49%), advertising and marketing (46%) and editorial at 38%. Men on the other hand, are predominant in production of those in printing and distribution (94%), 89% in design, 83% in technical/IT departments whereas 38% of those in the editorial departments of media houses are women. Despite women being the majority in the media, barriers to women’s ability to climb the cooperate ladder in the media industry and negative or gender-blind and biased attitudes continue to perpetuate negative portrayal and denying women opportunities to participate fully in media.in the media are varied. These barriers include women’s low status in society, traditional and cultural expectations, heavy workloads, double shifts of working at home and office, and their absence in positions of formal authority or decision-making (Nyondo, 2005). .The country has put in place adequate legal provisions for the participation of women in spheres of life Zambia. Strengthened the provision of formal and Technical Education Vocational Entrepreneurship and Training (TEVET) in media and ICTs, including in areas of management and leadership. Specific measures to enhance access, affordability and use of ICTs for women and girls (e.g. free Wi-Fi hubs, community technology centres, destigmatising use of internet and mobile phones by women and girls have been put in place. CSOs like NGOCC and others have continued providing media trainings so that media can report favourably on gender matters. MISA, Zambia Media Women Association and the Gender and Media Network in Zambia have been proactive in advocating for the rights of media people and engaging in media reforms and programmes to ensure that men and women in media have a stake in decision making processes with regards to media governance. The news of Azuri TV package is an exciting development for Zambia as the innovation brings with it a 24-inch solar TV with 49 popular Zuku satellite Television and over 50 radio channels. According to the company, Azuri comes complete with solar home lighting, rechargeable radio, torch and mobile phone charging. The complete package costs as low as K98 per week. The coming of Azuri on the scene would contribute to efforts at improving access to information in Zambia; however, it is important to do a cost benefit analysis of the need for people to pay K98 per week translating to K360 per month. This will help in the decision making process of adopting the technology. Another positive recorded in the area of technology advancement was the village Television Project that was reported to have potential to empower about 500 selected villages, Schools and other community centres across the country to receive the Village Satellite Television sets under the village Televisions(MISA ,2019). The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) announced the expansion of its FJT programme to Senegal, C?te d’Ivoire and Tanzania, joining Ghana and Zambia where training programmes launched earlier this year. This unique educational offering will support the advancement of financial journalism and contribute to economic development on the continent. The expansion of the training programme to five new countries in Africa follows the success of the programme in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, where 568 delegates from 13 countries have graduated to-date ( The News Diggers Newspaper Publication ,2019).Media remains worryingly male-dominated. In a fast expanding media scene, largely driven by market concerns, women may seem more visible, but hard facts tell a different story. Less than five percent of an estimated 20,000 journalists are women, 168 fewer than 1,000 in the entire country. Women journalists are pushed into jobs such as reporting, or writing on politics, economy or development. Given this structural anomaly, the media cannot present a complete picture of women, far less highlight gender issues and end negative portrayal or stereotyping. Women’s access to expression and participation in decision-making in the media, including through information and communication technologies (ICT), remains an area where progress is slow and gender-disaggregated data inadequate. Media in Zambia has continued to be censored and under threat by government for having divergent views of certain issues. The government remained sensitive to media criticism and indirectly censored publications or penalized publishers. Numerous media watchdog organizations reported that the harassment and arrest of journalists, threats by the government to introduce punitive legislation against media personnel, restriction of their access to public places, and undue influence, among other restrictions, compromised media freedom and resulted in self-censorship.In the last two years, the shrinking space for freedom of expression has impacted media too, leading to lay-offs—some media persons have lost their jobs including closure of some media institutions such as the Post Newspaper who were providing alternative news from government -controlled print media. Narrowing the gender inequality is painfully slow. Growth has been more horizontal than vertical. Those employed on contract are excluded from legal safeguards and benefits. Women have found it relatively easier to access digital media platforms and social media, outside the mainstream media structures. Statistically, however, their presence is still quite low. Some of the challenges that media is faced with that affect media institutions, including women journalists, include but not limited to the unanimous decision to adopt a statutory-self regulatory framework for the media, the directive by IBA compelling all broadcast media to submit recordings of programmes every fortnight, and the harassment and intimidation of Power FM and Radio Maria Zambia in Kabwe and Chipata respectively. In the period under review, press freedom and freedom of expression were under threat with cadres attacking radio stations by storming into studios. There were also threats by government officials on journalists. Another significant issue recorded in the period under review was the continued shelving of the Access to Information Bill that has been on the cards for the past 17years. It should be noted that the second quarter of the year 2019 also scored some victories.Arguably one of the biggest news received during the period under review was the pronouncement by the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services that public media must accord a chance to opposition political parties to air their views on their platforms. The media in the period under review was dominated by debates around the unanimous decision by journalists to adopt a statutory self-regulatory framework for the media. Also making news in the period under review was the news of mandatory submission of broadcast content every two weeks. The directive was issued by IBA who called upon broadcast media to comply with the instructions. The directive was however condemned by sections of society based on two issues: the cost attached and the threat to media freedom that the move would impose. Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) should be revived and its statutes improved to take into consideration the interests of its members and partners especially the women working in media. Further, the National Gender Policy (2000) acknowledges that the stereotype portrayal of women images in the information and media circles have contributed to perpetuation of gender imbalances in national development.Budget tracking on gender equality and the empowerment of women NGOCC does conduct a budget analysis annually from a gender perspective. NGOCC concentrates on four areas of analysis namely: Education, health, Agriculture and Social Protection. The analysis is done against the different treaties that the government has signed and committed to allocate sufficient funds as provided for: Education (20%) according to the Cairo declaration; Health (15%) Abuja declaration; Agriculture (10%) Maputo protocol and Social Protection (5%).As a donor country, does your country track the proportion of official development assistance (ODA) that is invested in the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women (gender-responsive budgeting)? NODoes your country have a valid national strategy or action plan for gender equality?YESDoes your country have an action plan and timeline for implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (if a State party), or of the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review or other United Nations human rights mechanisms that address gender inequality/discrimination against women?YES:The recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, or of the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review or other United Nations human rights mechanisms are being implemented through the Ministry of Gender strategic plan which is fully aligned to the Country’s Seventh National Development Plan. The National Plan has been aligned to global, regional and Sub- Regional developmental agenda. Is there a national human rights institution in your country?YES:The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is a national institution established pursuant to Article 230 of the 1991, Constitution of Zambia as amended by Act No. 18 of 1996 and Act No. 2 of 2016. The Constitution in Zambia has strengthened the Human Rights Commission under Article 230 which is mandated to promote and protect human rights. The functions of the Commission have been enhanced to include the following:- ensure that the bill of rights is upheld and protected; take necessary steps to secure appropriate redress where rights are violated; and endeavour to resolve the dispute through mediation, negotiation and conciliation.This body has no litigation status and so many human rights related cases do not result in legal recourses where need be. The limited funding coupled with limited human resources has posed a challenge for women and girls who need to access services. The commission only has presence I selected town which are mainly provincial towns and no structures exist in many other areas denying an opportunity for most women ad girl who cannot reach them in those selected areas.5.Peaceful and inclusive societies In comparative terms, unlike most of its neighbours, Zambia has managed to avoid armed upheaval that has characterized much of Africa’s post-colonial history, earning itself a reputation for political stability. Peace building and conflict resolution is a fairly new area of emphasis for Zambia. Over the years Zambia has generally enjoyed relative peace and calm hence the issue received less focus. However, peace building and conflict resolution have become central with the increasing need for tolerance, acceptance and respect for diversity as the country pursues its commitment to pluralism in a multiparty and democratic state where citizens are free to demand the recognition of their rights. The role of women in peace and conflict resolution processes is therefore critical for their social, economic and political empowerment. A number of international frameworks set out the parameters for implementing peace building recognise the important role of women. These include the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security of 2000, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1889, and 1820 of 2008. The main regional peace building mechanism that Zambia is party to the African Union Policy on Post – Conflict Reconstruction and Development. The role of women in peace-building and conflict-resolution is enshrined in the SADC Gender Protocol, article 28 which states that: ‘State Parties shall endeavour to put in place measures to ensure that women have equal representation and participation in key decision-making positions in conflict resolution and peace building processes by 2015 in accordance with UNCSR 1325 provision. Some of the actions taken involve providing training and increasing number of female peacekeepers from the police and military forces which does not meet the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations’ recommendation of female representation. Women representation on these missions nonetheless still remains low. While there are efforts to establish institutions to deal with peace building and national healing, more work remains to strengthen the involvement of women. There is scope for involving women in peace building through their involvement in democracy and governance institutions and processes, security matters, justice, psycho-social recovery, and entrepreneurship as a vehicle for economic recovery and social change.Other initiatives include a dedicated day for prayer observed every 18th of October as a way of coming together ad seeking God`s intervention including forgiveness and reconciliation.Armed forces are still predominantly male and very few women are involved. Women continue to be disadvantaged because of the environment that is available which are insensitive to the needs of women and girl. Women who work in armed forces some forms of face discrimination ad are relegated to jobs that are perceived to be women`s jobs such as guarding at the main entrances of buildings and are rarely appointed to senior ranks. Actions to increase the leadership, representation and participation of women in conflict prevention, resolution, peace building, humanitarian action and crisis response Zambia has taken the following actions:Gender Focal Point offices have been established in all Defence institutions;Zambia has since expanded the role and contribution of women in the Defence Force in UN field-based operations and have been taking part particularly as military observers and peace keepers at regional and international level; andWomen in the Defence Forces who were once confined to stereotype and non-combat roles are now free to engage in combat duties such as infantry and enrol in other technical fields such as flying planes and engineering.Further, Zambia is also participating in peace keeping missions under the Zambia Police Service which has seen an increase in the number of Police officer who are women being deployed in peace keeping. NGOCC has contributed through building the capacities of the police officers before they are deployed.Women continue to suffer stereo types and very few are considered at the point of recruitment compared to their male counterparts Actions to enhance judicial and non-judicial accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and violations of the human rights of women and girls Produced Country Reports on Human Rights that present the situation of human rights in the country;Establishment of the Constitutional CourtEnactment of the Public Protector Act no 15 of 2016 which establishes the Office of the Public Protector and mandates the Public Protector to investigate any complaint of human rights arising from mal-administration or any conduct which the Public Protector has reasonable grounds to believe may be connected with, or conducive to, maladministration; .Formalisation of the work of Para-Legal through the Legal Aid Policy of 2018 The justice system is still not sensitive to the needs of women coupled with limited information and availability of legal services. The cost associated with accessing justice has posed as a threat to afford fair and expeditious judicial services by cost women and girls.Actions to eliminate discrimination against and violations of the rights of the girl childZambia has continued to implement laws that prohibit harmful traditional, cultural and religious practices that perpetuate oppression and gender discrimination. Penal Code (Amendments) Act of 2005, 2010 and 2012 Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia criminalises child neglect, incest, rape, defilement, indecent assault and sexual harassment. The court has the discretion to sentence the convicted rapists to life imprisonment. The Penal Code Amendment Act No.2 of 2011 also provides for the introduction of a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment for sexual offences. Other developments included:Enactment of the Anti-GBV Rules of Court to facilitate the implementation of the Anti GBV Act.Development and is implementation of the Strategy to End Child Marriage Strategy (2016-2021);Continued to implement the-entry policy for girls. The policy allows girls who fall pregnant to return to school after weaning their child. Development of the National Child Policy 2015, National Plan of Action for Children in 2015 and the National Standards Guidelines for Services and Programmes for Vulnerable children in State Party of 2016. Programmes to Rehabilitate and reintegrate Street Children in order to empower them with skills Implementation of the Youth Empowerment Fund which made available investment funds to both young men and women.Despite these developments, his has not provided improvement in numbers of the girl child facing discrimination. The Zambia Police GBV quarterly statistics continue o register a big number of girl children being defiled and also other reports by CSOs continue reported high teenage pregnancies and child marriages.6. Environmental conservation, protection and rehabilitationActions to integrate gender perspectives and concerns into environmental policies Although Zambia has taken a firm stance towards attaining the SDGs on Environmental Sustainability, and is developing national programmes on climate change adaptation and mitigation there have been limited gender considerations in policy frameworks on the management and protection of environment and natural resources in Zambia . This NGP therefore commits to spearheading a specific gender responsive effort in management of the environment particularly focusing on the exacerbation effects of climate change on pre-existing inequalities between men and women. Climate change as a development subject matter is critical for Zambia where 70% of the population are small holder farmers and rely on agriculture for livelihoods. The economy is agro based, hence subject to climate change risks. The largest group of people in farming activities are women composing about 86 percent of farmers in Zambia (Zambia National Union of Farmers, 2016). Developing countries like Zambia are increasingly becoming vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation whose effects threaten to erode human freedoms and limit choice. The gender differences between men and women imply that their vulnerabilities differ. Since women are already in a disadvantaged position, effects of climate change threaten to further increase the inequality. The reliance of women on natural resources for food and income, limited access to productive resources, combined with their disadvantaged position in society increases their vulnerability to climate change induced distress. It is also important to note that women have a significant role to play in climate change adaptation and mitigation as they acquired environmental management skills through experience in utilising natural resources. It is therefore imperative to make gender considerations in climate change and environment conservation strategies. Giving equal platforms for decision making in environment management, as well as equal support for low-carbon development and climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives would significantly contribute to reducing climate and environmental risks, in particular, the way these impacts differently on men and womenZambia is endowed with considerable environmental assets, including 50 million hectares of forest (ILUAII assessment), 40% fresh water and a rich wildlife estate and protected area system that cover about 36% of the total land area. These natural resources are major contributors to GDP (e.g. mining, tourism, agriculture, forestry) amounts to 27% of national wealth. The country’s economy is predominantly based on the exploitation of the country's natural resources. The adverse effects of climate conditions to which the country is exposed overtly affect these resources. Already, Zambia’s sensitive sectors - agriculture and food security, wildlife, forestry, water and energy, and human health have been adversely affected. The labour burden of fetching water and firewood from long distances especially for the rural women of Zambia further impacts on their productivity and participation in other areas of development. Some of the actions taken are follows:Zambia has a National Policy on Climate Change and Climate Change Gender Action Plan and is working towards a Green Economy, frameworks in which strategies to address these inequalities ought to feature. Women’s equal participation in climate change negotiation processes at local, national and global levels will ensure that their needs, perspectives and expertise are equally taken into account. The Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP) has been developed to provide a framework of how gender can help address climate change. The objective of the ccGAP is to ensure that Zambia’s climate change processes mainstream gender considerations to guarantee that women and men can have access to, participate in, and benefit equally from climate change initiatives. This Action Plan is grounded in the comprehensive existing institutional and policy framework that exists in Zambia, and in particular in the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) and the National Gender Policy.Zambia has a National Energy Policy which has not identified women as the main users of household energy. From the time the policy was formulated, little changes have occurred to change the status of women and improve their energy poverty status. Women still travel long distances to collect wood fuel and with the impact of climate change and deforestation, they now walk longer distances. Deforestation is already a challenge in Zambia as over 88% of Zambia’s population use Wood fuel (7NDP)Laws, policies and institutions have advanced at national, provincial and district level to develop climate change mitigation measures and natural-disaster response plans and capacity. Early warning systems and capacity building with new skills for livelihoods are needed, including factoring in the specific concerns and needs of women and girls by making women part of the decision-making and planning at the local level. The national legislation on disaster relief and rehabilitation and climate change measures are not as gender responsive as desired and do not adequately mainstream vulnerable groups including specific measures to oversee the mainstreaming of gender considerations. The Disaster Mitigation and Management Unit is usually not adequately funded to respond timely to disasters when they occur.Actions to integrate gender perspectives into policies and programmes for disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and mitigationZambia has committed to many international and regional instruments aimed at enhancing environmental protection. These include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement which outlines objectives for the country to meet in terms of climate change. Specifically, in terms of deforestation, Zambia has completed phase one of the REDD+ strategy which includes initiation of national dialogue, facilitation of institutional strengthening, and on-ground demonstration activities related to reducing deforestation and forest degradation throughout the country. Zambia has also completed Phase two of Integrated Land Use Assessment project (ILUA) which was conducted from 2010 to 2016 and was the largest forest inventory undertaken in Zambia. (ILUA Phase II, 2017).The government `s commitment to all the above mentioned treaties has not been consumerate with committed resources at national level for environmental protection. Funding to this sector has continued to drop from 1.3 % in 2018 to 1% in 2019 and a further drop to 0.6% in 2020 despite the recognition of the detrimental effects of climate change on the economy and women (Budget Speeches, 2018, and 2019).Some of the actions that Zambia took are as follows:Zambia has developed the Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP) to provide a framework of how gender can be integrated in climate change interventions which has not been implemented to date. Apart from gender mainstreaming, a cross cutting approach to programming, Zambia has not developed any other framework to comprehensively address gender inequalities in environment conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Despite this positive development, this action plan has not been implemented and funded which is another missed opportunity to enhance women participation in climate change agenda. Other programmes integrating gender in programmes include the Conservation Farming Unit (CFU). GBP25m Climate Smart Agriculture Zambia Programme (2016-2021) is generously supported by Britain’s Department for International Development. CFU is presently covering 43 districts in Zambia. In 2017 along, 216,000 farmers were trained under this programme with 32,995 adopted for the first time. The heavy dependency on donor funding for such important progress is a threat to the sustainability of these great efforts which would enormously increase the levels of resilience among the women and other vulnerable groups.Other programmes involve strengthened and implemented gender-responsive laws and policies related to disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and mitigation (e.g. disaster laws addressing vulnerability of women in disaster). Most CSOs havesupported women’s participation and leadership, including those affected by disasters, in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and mitigation policies, programmes and projects. Specific and gender-responsive indicators and monitoring mechanisms have been developed to enable Zambia to establish baselines and measure progress in areas such as the participation of women in initiatives relating to disaster risk reduction and climate change and in political, economic and social institutions. Documentation of such progressive programmes are poorly documented.Women’s equal participation in climate change negotiation processes at local, national and global levels has been very low and not fully ensured that their needs, perspectives and expertise are equally taken into account. Giving equal platforms for decision making in environment management, as well as equal support for low-carbon development and climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives. However very few platforms exist especially at local levels except for a few, which are CSO driven, that gives women an opportunity to participate in environmental programmes. A major lacuna in national programmes is the very low priority given to gender in environmental impact assessments, even in social impact assessments and this impacts negatively on the developmental agenda and women`s and girls` welfare.It is essential that women are involved in climate change strategies such as rainwater harvesting that can positively impact food security and pro-actively contribute to policy formulation, implementation and assessment. Merely including women in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts does not make interventions gender-responsive. Gender responsive disaster preparedness and responses in both planning and actions must engage women from start to finish, document their pre- and post-disaster experiences, integrate and further build upon their skills and knowledge, and provide opportunities for improving health, education and livelihoods, build the capacity of women and girls to reduce the impact of disaster and climate change on their households and communities.NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROCESSESZambia like other countries has a dedicated ministry responsible for gender. The Ministry of Gender (MoG) is charged with the responsibility of promoting gender equality in Zambia. The statutory functions of the Ministry are outlined as in the Government Gazette Notice No. 836 of 2016 (Vol. LII. No. 76) as follows:a)Gender Based Violence; b)Gender Equity and Equality; c)National Gender Policy; and d)Women Empowerment. In addition, the Ministry is responsible for the Anti-Gender Based Violence Committee and the Gender Equity and Equality Commission. The commission has not been set up to date despite the legal provision in the Gender Equity and Equality Act. The Government has continued to use the Gender Focal Point System in line Ministries, spending agencies, Provinces and Districts to advance gender programmes. This has not been very effective as some focal point persons do not fully understand their roles and take it as an added on job and is rarely prioritised in the course of duty. Limited capacity building has been provided for the focal point persons and the few who were trained keep being moved to other areas leaving a vacuum in this role. Other line ministries do not usually budget and prioritise for gender specific activities posing a gap in realising gender mainstreaming in all programmes across ministries. CSOs like NGOCC have continued complementing government efforts in promoting gender as a driver of development in the country. Specifically, civil society organization, Cooperating partners and other stakeholders have been incorporated in the Cluster Advisory Group quarterly meetings at technical and policy levels under the Seventh National Development Plan Pillar on Reducing Development Inequalities which deals with gender matters. Further, the Anti-Gender Based Violence Committee is in place to support government in implementing the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act no.1 of 2011 as provided for under the Act. The meeting has not been consistent due to funding gaps and the limited convening power of the ministry especially with other line ministries. Parliament, through its select committees supports programme implementation by evoking its oversight role to ensure that the Executive Wing of Government and other stakeholders implement commitments on gender. This is to ensure increased accountability on gender equality and empowerment of women. The reports shared by various ministries to parliament have not been made public leaving a gap in information by the ordinary citizens especially the women.In spite of the positive strides in this area, this has not translated to enhanced equity and equality outcomes for women and girls. The Ministry is still having challenges to effectively coordinate and implement programmes to advance women and girls` welfare. The Ministry is not well resourced financially as well as provided with adequate human resource. National machinery a member of the institutional process for SDG implementation The head of the Ministry of Gender is the Permanent Secretary, responsible for implementation of the Government’s policies on Gender and women empowerment. The Permanent Secretary is a member of the SDG national Committee which is spearheading by the Ministry of National Development Planning in Zambia. Formal mechanisms in place for different stakeholders to participate in the implementation and monitoring of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentThe Government has formed consultative and advisory structures to conform to the integrated development approach of the Seventh National Development Plan. Therefore, Cluster Advisory Groups (CAGs) have been formed to ensure monitoring and reporting on various national interventions contained in the 7NDP in line with international development instruments that include the SDGs and Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Further, the National Development Coordinating Committee (NDCC), is at the apex of the national structure for monitoring and providing policy direction for national development in line with the 7NDP. There is still an information gap on the mechanisms available and how stakeholders can engage with the process.Mechanisms in place to ensure that women and girls from marginalized groups can participateNGOCC is a network of members who have been participating at various levels which includes community, district, provincial and national levels to enhance representation .Town Hall and community meetings are usually held in areas where the majority people including women and girl can participate in key decision making processes. The government has been working with CSOs and private sector in the development of various national policies, laws, plans and programmes take a consultative and inclusive approach to ensure ownership in line with the National Planning and Budgeting Policy. In some instances, CSO participation has been very limited and views are not taken upon especially if they are divergent. Consultations are most often time centralized and concentrated along the line of rail leaving out mot women who are the majority who reside in rural areas. Membership to these meetings and consultations is usually determined and most vulnerable people of the society which includes women and people with disability are often times left out. There is still an information gap on the mechanisms available and how stakeholders can engage with the process.Stakeholders’ contribution to the preparation of the present national report NGOCC participated in the formulation of the Zambia State Party Report on the Beijing+25 during which as a civil society organization, we raised our pertinent issues for inclusion in the report. The key issues highlighted were then used to provide the basis for the Zambia NGO Parallel Report on the Beijing+25 which was compiled in collaboration with ActionAid Zambia. The two civil society organisations provided technical and financial support to engage other stakeholders in five Provinces of Zambia where community consultations were held on the perspectives around the 12 critical areas and key provisions in the BDPfA and CEDAW respectively. The report was later subjected to a validation during a wider stakeholders’ forum which was mainly comprised of members from the women`s movement and other civil society organisations.Gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls included as a key priority in the national plan/strategy for SDG implementationGender equality and empowerment of women and girls has to an extent included as a key priority area. The current Seventh National Development Plan 2017-2021 has mainstreamed gender and prioritized the empowerment of women as key to accelerating growth and national development. In the Plan the strategy is to reduce gender inequalities in social and economic sectors of the economy. In line with SDG 5, providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work and representation in political and economic decision-making processes is the Government’s focus during the Plan period. It is worrying that despite this positive step, the Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Community Development and Social services, which have a programs to ensure that equality is attained, are poorly funded. This has negatively affected the targeted beneficiaries who are mainly women and questions government`s commitment to prioritise gender equality.The Government is aware that unbalanced power relations between women and men in the domestic, community and public domains remain impediments to the advancement of women. Zambian women have fewer decision-making positions compared to men at all levels and remain the worst victims of the country’s high unemployment and poverty. Women also have differentiated access to credit, improved technology, land and extension services, which constrain agricultural productivity and other economic activities. There are limited initiatives that have been put I place and fully supported to address these unbalanced powers between men and women. DATA AND STATISTICSThere are numerous sources of credible data both by the state owned institutions and among CSOs. The Central Statistics Office is the main source of information. One challenge with most of the available data is not always disaggregated by gender, socio-economic status, age, education, marital status, disability, and religion/ethnicity. This poses a challenge when it comes to planning and designing programme for a specific intervention and target. Most surveys and research do not have voices of women included as they tend to mostly target the head of households who are usually men.Women contribution to the economy is not captured in the national data making it difficult to quantify the unpaid work as an important contribution as well. This puts women and girls at a disadvantage as most employment related social protection leaves them out from available benefits.The country has continued to produce administrative data relating to education, health, social protection and land administration. Most surveys such as Labour force surveys and health related are usually underestimated as women especially those in rural areas are left out. The national budgets are not gender responsive making it difficult to assess the level of spending on women and girls. Further, improvements have been made in the production and capturing of Gender Based violence disaggregated data on a quarterly and annual basis. However, weak Management Information Systems and inadequate capacity at provincial and district levels make it difficult to collect administrative data. At times, collection of data is not coordinated which result in the risk of understating or overstating the statistics. The prevalence of GBV in the country is not known apart from reliance on reported cases which does not show the actual extent of the problem as most cases are not reported and recorded making it difficult to effectively combat GBV against women and girls holistically. ................
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