Giz2021 en Zambia Gender Report 2017-2019

Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Gender
GENDER STATUS REPORT

2017-19
Implemented by:
Co-funded by the European Union

Table of Contents
Foreword 5
Acknowledgements 6
List of Tables 7
List of Figures 8
List of Abbreviations 10
Definitions 12
Executive Summary 14
1. Introduction 15
2. Country Profile 16
2.1 Demography and Population
2.1.1 Total Fertility Rate
2.1.2 Age-Specific Fertility Rate
2.1.3 Age at First Marriage
2.1.3.1 Key Challenges Affecting Progress in Achieving Gender Equality and Equity
2.2 The Context of Gender Equality and Equity
2.2.1 Background and Purpose
2.2.2 Policies and Mechanisms for Gender Equality
2.2.3 Overview of Achievements and Challenges in Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
2.3 Partnerships for Gender and Development
3. Methodology 20
3.1 Data Sources
3.2 Methods for Data Compilation
3.2.1 Desk Review
3.2.2 Analysis
3.3 Data Quality
3.4 Limitations
Progress In Key Thematic Areas 22
4. Governance and Decision-Making 23
4.1 Participation in the Legislature (Parliament)
4.2 Nominated Members of Parliament
4.3 Participation in Cabinet
4.4 Provincial Ministers
4.5 Participation in Local Government – Councillors
4.6 Traditional Leadership
4.7 The Judiciary
4.8 Public Service Commissions
4.9 Permanent Secretaries
4.10 Directors in the Civil Service
4.11 Management Positions in State-Owned Enterprises
5. Poverty and Economic Empowerment 28
5.1 Policy Environment and Mechanisms to Address Poverty and Women’s Empowerment
5.2 Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood Programmes
5.2.1 Agriculture Development Through Value Chain Enhancement
5.2.2 Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood
5.2.3 Microcredit Scheme – Livelihood and Empowerment Support Scheme
5.2.4 Mechanised Farming Equipment Programme
5.2.5 50 Million African Women Speak Project
5.2.6 Financial Assistance
5.2.7 Transforming Rural Livelihoods in Western Zambia
5.2.8 Lake Tanganyika Development Project
5.3 Decision-Making at the Household Level
5.3.1 Control over Household Income Among Married People in Zambia
5.3.2 Negotiating Sexual Relationships
5.4 Access and Ownership of Assets – Housing and Land
5.5 Social Protection Programmes
5.5.1 Social Cash Transfer Scheme
5.5.2 Food Security Pack Programme
5.5.3 Community Skills Development
6. Education and Training 42
6.1 Gross Enrolment Rates
6.1.1 GER – Primary Education
6.1.2 GER – Secondary Education
6.2 Net Enrolment Rates
6.3 School Attendance Gender Parity Index
6.3.1 Net Enrolment and Gross Enrolment Rates
6.3.2 Dropout Rates
6.3.3 Transition Rates
6.3.4 Re-admission of Girls into School After Pregnancy
6.3.5 Completion Rates
Gender Status Report 2017-19 3

7. Health, and HIV and AIDS 49
7.1 Health Insurance (Private and Government)
7.2 Key Health Issues
7.2.1 Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
7.2.1.1 Access to Family Planning
7.2.2 Access to Reproductive Health Services Among Adolescents
7.2.2.1 Teenage Pregnancies
7.3 HIV and AIDS
7.4 Other Health Issues
7.4.1 Maternal Mortality
7.4.2 Infant Mortality
8. Access to Productive (Economic) Resources and Employment 56
8.1 Gender-Responsive Budgeting
8.2 Select Labour Market Indicators
8.2.1 Labour Force
8.2.2 Labour Force Participation Rate
8.3 Employment
8.3.1 Employed Population
8.3.2 Employment-to-Population Ratio
8.4 Employment by Occupation
8.5 Employment in Select Industries
8.5.1 Construction
8.5.2 Mining and Quarrying
8.5.3 Energy
8.5.4 Environment – Water, Sanitation, and Solid Waste Management
8.5.4.1 National-Level Recruitment of Women in Technical and Senior Decision-Making Roles
8.5.4.2 Women’s Participation at the Community Level
8.5.5 Transport and Storage
8.5.6 Manufacturing
8.6 Sector Employment – Formal, Informal, and Household Sectors
8.7 Types of Employment
8.7.1 Formal and Informal Employment
8.7.2 Agriculture and Non-Agriculture
8.7.3 Institutional Sector Employment
8.8 Status in Employment
8.9 Potential Labour Force
8.10 Unemployment Rate
8.11 Youth Unemployment
8.12 Economically Inactive Population
8.13 Youth Not in Employment, Education, or Training
8.14 Access to Property and Resources
8.14.1 Own Business Account/Enterprise
8.14.2 Own-Use Production Work
8.14.3 Land Ownership and Agriculture
8.14.3.1 Land Ownership
8.14.3.2 Agriculture
9. Gender-Based Violence 79
9.1 Reported Cases of Gender-Based Violence
9.2 Types of Reported GBV Offences
9.2.1 Child Marriages
9.2.2 Human Trafficking
9.3 Actions Taken on Reported GBV Cases
10. The Media, and Information and Communication 85
10.1 Representation, and Access to the Media and Information
10.1.1 Participation in Mass Media
10.2 Access to and Usage of Information and Communication Technologies
10.2.1 Access to Internet and E-Commerce Services
10.2.2 ICT Access and Use Among the Youth
10.2.3 Mobile Phone Access, Usage, and Ownership
10.2.4 Access to and Usage of Digital Financial Services
10.2.5 Efforts to Increase Media, Information, and ICT Accessibility in Zambia
11. Conflict Management and Peacekeeping Operations 91
12. Conclusion 92
References 93
Appendices 96
Appendix 1. Map Showing HIV Prevalence by Province, 2018/2019
Appendix 2. Map Showing Total Fertility Rate by Province
Appendix 3. Traditional Leadership by Sex and Province, 2017–2019
Appendix 4. Number of Reported Gender-Based Violence Cases by Offence Type and Sex, 2019
Appendix 5. Percentage Distribution of Employed Persons by Industry and Sex, 2019
Appendix 6. List of Team Members Who Authored Thematic Sections
4 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Foreword
The Republic of Zambia is party to a number of regional and international protocols on gender equality and women’s
empowerment like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development; the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa; the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; the Convention on the Rights of Children; and the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
The country has enacted various pieces of legislation to ensure the effective mainstreaming of gender in all sector
policies, laws, plans, programmes, projects, and outputs. The aim is to ensure equitable distribution and access to
national resources among women and men, girls and boys, and people with disabilities. These pieces of legislation
include, among others, the 2016 Constitution of Zambia, Gender Equity and Equality Act No. 22 of 2015, and the
National Gender Policy.
The Government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Gender, has over the past several years been publishing the
Gender Status Report to show the progress made towards implementing the above protocols and legislation, as well
as to provide information about the status of the country in terms of achieving gender equality and equity in various
development sectors.
This report is the third country report. It is an improvement on previous reports as it provides a critical analysis of
gender statistics, presenting data through a gender lens in order to give a clear outlook on the progress made and
persistent logjams. The report shows the gender gaps in demographic structures and population dynamics, as well as
the strides that have been made in promoting women and men’s participation in various aspects of life.
Hon Elizabeth Phiri MP

Minister of Gender

Acknowledgements
The Government of Zambia is committed to ensuring the achievement of gender equality and equity in its development
agenda. The Gender Status Report is a management and planning tool that evaluates the gender responsiveness of
government programmes and the extent to which gender is being integrated in the development process across all
sectors. The Ministry of Gender and the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) have taken the lead in preparing the
report on selected gender indicators, since 2014, to monitor progress. The process of preparing this Gender Status
Report involved wide consultations with all key stakeholders implementing various developmental programmes.
Acknowledgements, therefore, go to all line ministries and partners who assisted in one way or another in the
production of this report. We would like to specially acknowledge the financial, logistical, and technical support
given through our partners and consultants towards the production of the report to the “Strengthening the National-
Regional Linkages in SADC” (SNRL), which is a partnership programme implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with co-funding from the
European Union (EU) as part of the Integrated Institutional Capacity-Building (IICB) Programme.
Finally, our gratitude is extended to ZamStats for coordinating the process of data compilation from all stakeholders
and contributing towards the data analysis and report writing.
Sastone Silomba Chola Chabala

Permanent Secretary Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Gender Ministry of National Development Planning
Implemented by:

List of Tables
Table 2.1 Population of Zambia by sex, 2017-2019

Table 4.1 Distribution of members of parliament by sex, 2017-2019
Table 4.2 Distribution of nominated members of parliament by sex, 2017-2019
Table 4.3 Distribution of cabinet ministers by sex, 2017-2019
Table 4.4 Distribution of selected councillors by sex
Table 4.5 Traditional leaders in Zambia
Table 4.6 Number of senior chiefs by sex and province, 2019
Table 4.7 Distribution of adjudicators (judges) by sex and type of court, 2017-2019
Table 4.8 Distribution of senior/middle management by sex, 2017-2019
Table 4.9 Permanent secretaries
Table 4.10 Directors in the civil service, 2019
Table 4.11 State-owned enterprise management positions, 2018
Table 5.1 Distribution of beneficiaries under the GEWEL project, 2017-2019
Table 5.2 Distribution of microcredit financing to women, 2019
Table 5.3 Distribution of tractors to cooperatives by province, 2017-2019
Table 5.4 Number of women’s clubs that received start-up capital by province, 2017-2019
Table 5.5 Achievements under the Lake Tanganyika Development Project–Northern Province, 2017-2019
Table 5.6 Number and percentage distribution of beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer, 2019
Table 5.7 Number distribution of household heads that benefited from the Food Security Pack programme, 2018/2019
Table 5.8 Number of Community Skills Development programme beneficiaries by province
Table 5.9 Number distribution of persons in skills training programmes by sex
Table 6.1 Gross enrolment rates in primary education by province, 2017-2018
Table 6.2 Gross enrolment rates in secondary education by province, 2017-2018
Table 6.3 Primary net enrolment rates by province and sex, 2017-2018
Table 6.4 Net enrolment and gross enrolment rates
Table 6.5 Primary and secondary school dropout rates by sex
Table 6.6 Completion rates for Grades 7, 9, and 12 by sex
Table 7.1 Any health insurance coverage by region and sex, 2018
Table 8.1 Number distribution of the labour force by sex, 2017-2019
Table 8.2 Number distribution of employed persons by sex, 2017-2019
Table 8.3 Number distribution of the potential labour force by sex, 2017-2019
Table 8.4 Number and percentage distribution of youth (aged 15-35) not in employment, education, or training (NEET)
by sex, 2019
Table 8.5 Number and percentage distribution of own account workers by sector of employment and sex, 2019
Table 8.6 Number and percentage distribution of own-use production workers by residence, goods/services, and sex, 2019
Table 8.7 State land offers by sex, 2017-2019
Table 8.8 Number and percentage distribution of beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme, 2017-2019
Table 8.9 Number of national agricultural households engaged in crop production by sex, 2017/2018-2019/2020
Table 8.10 Number of agricultural households per province engaged in crop production by sex during the 2017/2018
agricultural season
agricultural season
agricultural season
Table 8.13 Distribution of household heads raising livestock per province by sex, as of January 2018
Table 8.14 Distribution of fish-farming households by sex of the household head per province, as of January 2018
Table 9.1 Percentage distribution of reported cases of gender-based violence by sex, 2017-2019
Table 9.2 Number of reported cases of gender-based violence disaggregated by sex and type of offence, 2019
Table 9.3 Number distribution of reported cases of human trafficking disaggregated by sex and age, 2017-2019
Table 9.4 Number distribution of cases of gender-based violence taken/not taken to court, 2017-2019

List of Figures
Figure 2.1 Total fertility rate by residence, 2018

Figure 2.2 Age-specific fertility rate
Figure 2.3 Age at first marriage
Figure 5.1 Married women aged 15-49 who participate in decision-making at the household level, 2018
Figure 5.2 Control over income by sex
Figure 5.3 Ownership of land by women and men aged 15-49
Figure 5.4 Ownership of land either alone or jointly by sex and age
Figure 5.5 Type of land ownership by sex
Figure 5.6 House ownership by sex
Figure 5.7 House ownership on title by sex
Figure 5.8 House ownership either alone or jointly by sex and age
Figure 5.9 Percentage of beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer scheme by sex and province, 2019
Figure 5.10 Sex distribution of Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries for each province in 2019
Figure 5.11 Percentage distribution of household heads that benefited from the Food Security Pack programme, 2018/2019
Figure 6.1 Net enrolment rates by sex and grade, 2017-2018
Figure 6.2 Percentage distribution of transition rates by sex, 2017-2018
Figure 6.3 Number of pregnancies and re-admissions by grade groups, 2018-2019
Figure 6.4 Number of pregnancies and re-admissions in primary schools by residence, 2018-2019
Figure 6.5 Number of pregnancies and re-admissions in secondary schools by residence, 2018-2019
Figure 6.6 Trend in completion rates in 2018
Figure 7.1 Percentage of demand for family planning among women aged 15-49 years, 2018
Figure 7.2 Percentage distribution of family planning usage among women by residence, 2018
Figure 7.3 Percentage distribution of family planning access among women, 2018
Figure 7.4 Percentage distribution of teenage pregnancies, 2018
Figure 7.5 Percentage distribution of teenage pregnancies by residence, 2018
Figure 7.6 HIV prevalence among adults (aged 15-49) by sex, 2018
Figure 7.7 Infant mortality per 1,000 among male and female children, 2018
Figure 7.8 Infant mortality per 1,000 by residence
Figure 8.1 Labour force participation rate by sex, 2017-2019
Figure 8.2 Employment-to-population ratio by sex, 2017-2019
Figure 8.3 Percentage distribution of employed persons by occupation and sex, 2019
Figure 8.4 Employment in the construction sector by sex, 2018-2019
Figure 8.5 Employment in the mining and quarrying sector by sex, 2019
Figure 8.6 Employment in the energy sector by sex, 2019
Figure 8.7 Employment in the water, sanitation, and waste management sector by sex, 2019
Figure 8.8 Percentage distribution of women’s participation in water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental
management – Northern and Western provinces, 2017-2019
Figure 8.9 Percentage of employment in the transport and storage sector by sex, 2019
Figure 8.10 Percentage distribution of men and women employed in manufacturing, 2019
Figure 8.11 Percentage distribution of employed persons by sector of employment and sex, 2019
Figure 8.12 Percentage distribution of employed persons by type of employment and sex, 2019
Figure 8.13 Proportion of employed persons by type of employment and sex, 2019
Figure 8.14 Percentage distribution of employed persons by institutional sector and sex, 2019
Figure 8.15 Percentage distribution of employed persons by status in employment and sex, 2019
Figure 8.16 Unemployment rate by sex, 2017-2019
Figure 8.17 Youth unemployment rate by sex, 2017-2019
Figure 8.18 Inactivity rate by sex, 2017-2019
Figure 8.19 Percentage distribution of youth NEET by age group and sex, 2019
Figure 8.20 Proportion of youth NEET by residence and sex, 2019
Figure 8.21 Percentage distribution of own account workers by sector of employment and sex, 2019
Figure 8.22 Percentage distribution of own-use production workers by residential area and sex, 2019
Figure 8.23 Percentage distribution of own-use production workers by goods/services and sex, 2019

Figure 8.24 Percentage distribution of state land by sex, 2017-2019
Figure 8.25 Proportion of national agricultural households engaged in crop production by sex, 2017/2018-2019/2020
agriculture seasons
Figure 8.26 Distribution of agricultural households per province engaged in crop production by sex in the 2017/2018
agricultural season
agricultural season
Figure 8.28 Distribution of household heads raising livestock by province and sex, 2018
Figure 8.29 Distribution of fish-farming households by sex of the household head and province, as at January 2018
Figure 9.1 Reported gender-based violence cases, 2017-2019
Figure 9.2 Convicted perpetrators of gender-based violence, 2017-2019
Figure 9.3 Number of reported GBV cases taken to court by sex, 2019
Figure 9.4 Number of reported GBV cases not taken to court by sex, 2019
Figure 10.1 Access to weekly (regular) TV, radio, and newspaper by sex, 2018
Figure 10.2 Access to mainstream media – TV and radio – by education and sex, 2018
Figure 10.3 Percentage distribution of people with access to regular mass media by sex and residence, 2018
Figure 10.4 Percentage distribution of people with access to Internet services by sex, 2018
Figure 10.5 Percentage distribution of active Internet users in urban and rural areas, 2018
Figure 10.6 Percentage distribution of access to and usage of digital financial services by residential area, 2018

List of Abbreviations
7NDP Seventh National Development Plan

50MAWSP 50 Million African Women Speak Project
ADVANCE Agriculture Development Through Value Chain Enhancement project
AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ASFR Age-specific fertility rate
AU African Union
BDPfA Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
CEEC Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission
CIDP Cashew Infrastructure Development Project
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease
CPR Contraceptive prevalence rate
DREAMS Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe programme
EU European Union
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FISP Farmer Input Support Programme
FSP Food Security Pack
GBV Gender-based violence
GDP Gross domestic product
GER Gross enrolment rate
GEWEL Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood project
GII Gender Inequality Index
GIZ German Agency for International Cooperation
GPI Gender Parity Index
GSR Gender Status Report
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus
ICSE International Classification of Status in Employment
ICT Information and communication technologies
ILO International Labour Organization
MMR Maternal mortality ratio
MP Member of parliament
NCC National Council for Construction
NEET Not in employment, education, or training
NER Net enrolment rate
NGO Non-governmental organisation
NHIMA National Health Insurance Management Authority
NHIS National Health Insurance Scheme
PACRA Patents and Companies Registration Agency
PMRC Policy Monitoring and Research Centre
PRMR Pregnancy-related mortality rate
PWAS Public Welfare Assistance Scheme
SADC Southern African Development Community
SCT Social Cash Transfer scheme
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SDGEA Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (AU)
SHaSA Strategy for the Harmonisation of Statistics in Africa
SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
SRHR Sexual and reproductive health and rights
SRHS Sexual and reproductive health services
STEM Science, technology, environment, and mathematics

STI Sexually transmitted infection
SWL Support Women’s Livelihoods initiative
TFR Total fertility rate
TV Television
UN United Nations
UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
U.S. United States
WIN Women in News programme
ZamStats Zambia Statistics Agency
ZDHS Zambia Demographic and Health Survey
ZICTA Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority
ZILMIS Zambia Integrated Land Management Information System
ZRA Zambia Revenue Authority

Definitions
Age-specific fertility rate (ASFR)

The number of births per 1,000 women in a specified age group. This indicator shows the age pattern of fertility in the
population.
Child
Any person below the age of 18.
Child marriage
The marriage of a person below the age of 18 under the Constitution and the Laws of Zambia.
Median age at first birth
The age at which childbearing commences. This has a direct influence on a woman’s cumulative fertility, particularly
when there is little or no contraceptive use.
Gender Inequality Index (GII)
Defined by the United Nations (UN) as a composite measure that quantifies the loss of achievement within a country
due to gender inequality. It indicates the percentage of potential human development lost because of this inequality.
Contributing family workers
Refers to persons who work without pay for 15 or more hours per week on a farm or in a business operated by a
member of the household.
Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR)
Usually defined as the percentage of currently married women using a method of contraception.
Economic activity status (working age population)
Refers to all persons aged 15 or older at the time of the survey.
Economically active population
Refers to all persons aged 15 or older who are either employed or unemployed at the time of the survey.
Employed population
The total number of persons who have a paid job in cash or kind, are in self-employment, or are a contributing family
worker. All persons who have a paid job and are on leave, as well as those in self-employment but are absent from
work due to various reasons such as inadequate raw materials, labour disputes, absence of business opportunities,
etc., are all considered employed.
Employment population ratio
A measure of the number of employed persons as a proportion of the working-age population expressed as a
percentage.
Formal employment
Employment in which employees are entitled to social security coverage under their contracts, in addition to annual
paid leave or any such entitlement.
Formal sector employment
Employment, whether formal or informal, in a registered production unit.
Gender
Refers to the socially constructed traits attributed to being female or male. These attributes involve the roles and
responsibilities assigned to men and women by society. The attributes also include expected, allowed, valued, and
accepted behaviour and conduct among men and women.
Gender-based violence (GBV)
Any physical, mental, emotional, social, or economic abuse against a person because of that person’s gender, including
sexual or psychological harm or suffering to the person, threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of
liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
Gender Parity Index (GPI)
The ratio of females to 100 males. This index is a composite measure that captures the loss of achievement within a
country due to gender inequality.
Gross enrolment ratio (GER)
Indicates the total enrolment of learners in a specific level, expressed as a percentage of the official school-age
population for that level.

Household
A group of persons who usually live and eat together. These people may or may not be related by blood but make
common provision for food or other essentials for living, and they have only one person whom they all regard as head
of the household.
Industry
Refers to an economic activity that takes place at the employed person’s place of work.
Infant mortality rate
The probability of dying between birth and the first birthday.
Informal sector
Refers to all production units that are not registered with a tax or licensing authority.
Informal employment
Employment characterised by lack of an entitlement to annual paid leave and absence of social security. This type of
employment can be found in both formal sector and informal sector production units.
Labour force participation rate
The ratio of the labour force to the overall size of the working-age population.
Life expectancy at birth (e0)
The average number of years expected to be lived by a birth cohort, based on prevailing age-specific mortality rates.
Maternal death
The death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 hours of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and
the site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from
accidental causes.
Maternal health
The healthcare given to mothers during pregnancy, in the time of delivery, and soon after delivery, which is key to the
well-being and survival of the baby and mother.
Maternal mortality ratio (MMR)
The number of maternal deaths during a given period per 100,000 live births during the same period.
Occupation
The set of jobs whose main tasks and duties are characterised by a high degree of similarity.
Population growth or decline
Shows how the number of people in a place is changing over time.
School attendance
Attendance at any accredited educational institution or programme, public or private, for organised learning at any
level of education.
Total fertility rate (TFR)
The average number of children a woman is expected to have in her entire reproductive age group (15–49 years)
assuming the prevailing conditions remain constant throughout her reproductive period.
Unemployment rate
The ratio of the unemployed population to the total population in the labour force expressed as a percentage.
Women’s empowerment
The process of facilitating access to resources and developing one’s capabilities with a view to participating actively
in shaping one’s own life and that of one’s community in economic, socio-cultural, political, and religious terms.

Executive Summary
This Gender Status Report (GSR) 2017 – 2019 supported by the “Strengthening the National-Regional Linkages
in SADC” (SNRL), which is a partnership programme implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with co-funding from the European Union
(EU) as part of the Integrated Institutional Capacity-Building (IICB) Programme.
This report highlights Zambia’s current progress towards attaining gender equality and equity in various development
sectors. The report highlights not only the strides that the country has made so far, but also the critical challenges in its
efforts, towards achieving desired national, regional, and international gender mainstreaming outcomes. It casts light
on existing inequalities across regions and in the population at large. While the intention of the report is to ensure that
all categories or groups of people are represented, much of the sub-thematic analysis is limited to women, men, girls,
and the youth – and does not include a critical interrogation of existing inequalities within these categories, due mainly
to the lack of disaggregated gender data and statistics in most sectors.
Zambia has made significant progress in promoting the rights of girls and women. However, much more needs
to be done to promote gender equality and attain gender equity. The Gender Inequality Index (GII) value increased
from 0.517 in 2017 to 0.540 in 2018, signifying an increase in the inequalities that exist in the participation of women
in labour markets, in the number of women parliamentarians, in secondary and higher education attainment by both
men and women, and in terms of falling adolescent birth rates. Despite notable improvements, Zambia remains in the
bottom 38 countries with the highest levels of gender inequalities.1 Inequalities persist within population categories
and across geographical areas for most social and economic indicators. Key highlights of this report are as follows:
a. Since the previous Gender Status Report for the period 2015–2016, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) increased
from 111 deaths per 100,000 live births to 252 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018,2 while the pregnancy-
related mortality rate (PRMR) was 278 deaths per 100,000 women.
b. Though infant mortality reduced to 42 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018, overall child mortality increased from
31 per cent to 69 per cent.3
c. Teenage pregnancies have declined by 1 per cent to 29.2 per cent.
d. Use of family planning is low at 35.4 per cent, with an unmet need at 20 per cent.
e. Adolescents’ access to sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) is extremely low at 12.1 per cent.
f. The labour force participation of women has declined since the previous Gender Status Report, from 77.7 per
cent to 35.3 per cent in 2019.
g. Only 26.7 per cent of women are participating in the labour market, compared to 44.8 per cent of men.
h. The employment-to-population ratio has declined by 44 percentage points since the previous Gender Status
Report, from 71.9 per cent to 30.9 per cent in 2019. Women’s employment ratio has reduced from 73.1 per cent
to 23.2 per cent, while men’s employment ratio also reduced from 70.6 per cent to 39.4 per cent over the same
period.
i. Women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated industries remains notably low at 20 per cent.
j. Women’s participation in decision-making at all levels is low, with no women appointed as Provincial Ministers.
It is remarkable that the government continues to strive to achieve the objectives of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development, the Sustainable Development Goals, the targets of the
Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), and Zambia Vision 2030, all of which emphasise the need to address
gender inequality. Although certain issues have been resolved through existing policy and legal frameworks and
programmes, major challenges persist, and in some sectors, disparities have widened even more. The persistent and
widening inequality gaps between men and women, and between boys and girls, not to mention people with disabilities
(who are completely excluded even in the way sector data is collected), calls for reflection and re-evaluation of policies
and programmes, in order to make them more gender-responsive and to identify implementation approaches that
leave no one behind.
Lack of institutional and human resource capacities, coupled with the persistence of patriarchal cultural beliefs or
norms and Zambia’s dual legal system (though recently revised to give supremacy to constitutional law) continue to
hamper efforts aimed at achieving the full participation of women, girls, and the youth in various sectors, notably in
education, sexual and reproductive health, and access to resources and economic opportunities, among others.
1
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 2018. Human Development Indices and Indicators: 2018 Statistical Update: A Briefing Note for Countries on the
2018 Statistical Update.
2
This is using the previous Gender Status Report (2015–2016) as the base year for comparison of progress to date.
3
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). 2016. Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013–2014.

1
Introduction
This Gender Status Report (GSR) 2017 – 2019 supported by the “Strengthening the National-Regional Linkages
in SADC” (SNRL) Programme presents the progress Zambia has made towards achieving gender mainstreaming
in various sectors. It is the third such report that has been produced, and thus builds on previous reports, while
introducing new critical indicators.
The report is organised according to themes and sub-themes derived from a rigorous process of identifying regionally
and internationally comparable parameters and frameworks. The authors have endeavoured to offer a critical analysis
of gender equality in Zambia, highlighting both legal and institutional frameworks, as well as the current status of
progress towards a Zambia where every citizen is empowered to engage actively in social and economic activities.

2
Country Profile
2.1 Demography and Population

The population of Zambia is estimated to be 17.38 million, with an annual growth rate estimated at 2.9 per cent.
It must be noted that 50.5 per cent (8,779,056) of the population is women, while men account for 49.5 per cent
(8,602,112), as shown in table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Population of Zambia by sex, 2017-2019
Year 2017 2018 2019

Total 16,405,229 16,887,720 17,381,168
Male 8,117,939 8,357,340 8,602,112
Female 8,287,290 8,530,380 8,779,056
Source: Central Statistical Office (CSO), 2013. Population and Demographic Projections 2011–2035.
Although national population growth during the period from 2017 to 2019 remained at 2.9 per cent, it was higher in
urban areas at 3.6 per cent than in rural areas at 2.4 per cent. Furthermore, the population of Zambia is predominately
young, with 45 per cent accounting for those aged below 15 and 45 per cent for those aged between 15 and 35.
2.1.1 Total Fertility Rate
It is estimated that the total fertility rate (TFR) is 4.7 children per woman and is highest among women in rural areas,
those in the lowest wealth bracket, and among adolescents (135 per 1,000 births), as indicated in figures 2.1 and 2.2.
(For provincial TFR distributions, see appendix 2.)
Figure 2.1 Total fertility rate by residence, 2018
5.8%
4.7%
3.4%
Zambia Rural Urban
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2018.
2.1.2 Age-Specific Fertility Rate

The 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) shows that among women aged 20–24, 203 women gave
birth per 1,000 women; while the lowest live-birth rate was in the below 15 age group, in which only three per 1,000
women gave a live birth. Women in rural areas experienced more births than their urban counterparts across all age
groups.
4
Central Statistical Office (CSO). 2013. Population and Demographic Projections 2011–2035.

Figure 2.2 Age-specific fertility rate
<15 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49
Urban 1 88 144 153 153 107 33 5
Rural 4 174 260 245 222 164 86 16
Total 3 135 203 199 187 138 63 12
Urban Rural Total
2.1.3 Age at First Marriage

About 9 per cent and 70 per cent of Zambian women get married by age 15 and 22 respectively, whereas 1 per cent
and 29.8 per cent of the men marry by age 15 and 22 respectively. Further disaggregation of age at first marriage is
shown in figure 2.3.
Figure 2.3 Age at first marriage
Women Men
15 years 18 years 20 years 22 years 25 years
Women 9.1 29.3 58.3 70.7 81.2
Men 0.1 4.4 14.2 29.8 54.6
With regard to age at first marriage, the ZDHS has established that the median age at first birth in Zambia is 19.7
years. This, to a greater extent, influences a woman’s fertility. It is plausible to suggest that the earlier a woman begins
childbearing the more likely she is to have many children, especially in the absence of family planning methods and amid
high illiteracy. Similarly, having children at very young ages may lead to maternal complications, as well as infant and
child mortality or other negative repercussions for the mother and the child’s health and well-being. There is no significant
difference in age at first marriage between rural women (18.7 years) and urban women (19.9 years).
2.2 The Context of Gender Equality and Equity
2.2.1 Background and Purpose
Zambia has historically been associated with patriarchal tendencies that have significantly affected the country’s human
and economic development. The daunting power imbalances between men and women and between men and women,
and other vulnerable groups such as children, the youth, and people with disabilities means that those with greater power
and ability to access productive resources (mostly men) are likely to participate more in economic activities, whereas those
with less power or control and access continue to be marginalised.
Against this background and amid global and regional calls to address gender inequalities within and across countries,
the Government of Zambia has adopted the African Union’s (AU) Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA)
and ratified the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development. The Zambian

government has also ratified the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA) and aligned it to the Seventh National
Development Plan (7NDP) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), factoring in all aspects of inclusion. In addition, the country has committed to creating a legal framework
conducive for gender equality.
2.2.2 Policies and Mechanisms for Gender Equality
Several measures have been put in place to promote women’s empowerment in Zambia. Notable among these is Gender
Equity and Equality Act No. 22 of 2015, which is aimed at domesticating international human rights instruments such as
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (adopted in 1979); the SADC
Protocol on Gender and Development (2008); and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the
Rights of Women in Africa (2003). The Gender Equity and Equality Act gives effect to CEDAW and is intended to implement
women’s empowerment targets that meet the international standards of the SDGs, as well as Zambia Vision 2030.
In addition to these policy measures, in 2016, the Zambian Constitution was amended to include critical and progressive
articles for gender equality. The amended Constitution acknowledges that every citizen, man or woman, has equal rights
to participate in, determine, and build a sustainable political, legal, and socio-economic order freely. The Constitution
further provides for human dignity, equity, social justice, equality, and non-discrimination among the national values and
principles.5 In addition, the Gender Equity and Equality Commission was created to further enhance the protection of
women’s rights. The mandate of the commission is to promote the mainstreaming and attainment of gender equality. To
increase the participation of both men and women in national governance and decision-making, the Constitution provides
that nominations to public office must ensure 50 per cent representation of each gender category.6
The Constitution has further mandated the Human Rights Commission to take necessary steps to appropriately redress
the rights of all persons, which includes women, children, and people with disabilities.7 In addition to the constitutional
rights and privileges, and policies earlier alluded to, other policies and strategies, like the National Child Policy and the
Re-Entry Policy, have also been developed to promote gender mainstreaming to attain equality and equity. The National
Child Policy is aimed at promoting and protecting children’s rights, whereas the Re-Entry Policy allows re-admission of
girls in school after giving birth. Other policies and strategies include: the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Policy, the Comprehensive Sexuality Education Curricula for In-School and Out-of-School Adolescents, and the Ending
Child Marriage Strategy.
Equally, the country has made strides to ensure institutional capacity is developed and strengthened for effective
implementation of gender equality-related policies and programmes. The Zambian government’s efforts have included the
establishment of fast-track courts that deal with gender-based violence (GBV) issues; the creation of space for civil society
organisations also to promote gender equality; and support for the capacity development of key personnel in the Ministry
of Gender, and line ministries in gender mainstreaming and gender analysis.
2.2.3 Overview of Achievements and Challenges in Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
Zambia has made significant strides in mainstreaming gender over the past decade; and has a woman as vice president,
as well as women ministers in several strategic portfolios such as the Ministries of Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries
and Livestock, National Development and Planning, and Gender. Women have also been taking seats in quasi-public
institutions and in the private sector. This includes the banking sector, as well as the Electoral Commission and the Auditor
General’s Office, among others. Nonetheless, Zambia’s 2018 Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.540 highlights the
inequalities between men and women in parliament, health, and education, as well as labour markets.8 This GII value
reflects an increase in inequality from 0.517 in 2017.9 It must also be noted that Zambia’s GII value is very close to the
SADC region’s average of 0.573.10
The GII reflects gender-based inequalities in three dimensions: 1) reproductive health (measured by maternal mortality
and the adolescent fertility rate); 2) empowerment (measured by the numbers of women in parliament, and girls completing
secondary and higher education); and 3) economic activity (measured by participation in the labour market). The index
represents a percentage of potential human development lost because of existing inequalities between men and women.11
Although this definition is limited because it excludes other groups of interest in the development process, it provides a
5
Article 8 of the Constitution of the Laws of Zambia.
6
Article 259(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Laws of Zambia.
7
Article 230 of the Constitution of the Laws of Zambia.
8
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). n.d. “Gender Inequality Index (GII)”. Available online: http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/gender-inequality-index-gii
[accessed 10 July 2020]. Zambia’s GII value is very close to 1, indicating an increase in the inequalities that exist between men and women in the two years.
9
[accessed 10 July 2020].
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 2019. Human Development Report 2019: Beyond Income, Beyond Averages, Beyond Today: Inequalities in
10
Human Development in the 21st Century. Briefing Note for Countries on the 2019 Human Development Report – Zambia.
11
[accessed 10 July 2020].

plausible and relevant basis for interpreting the country’s losses in human development resulting from inequality between
the achievements of women and men in the three GII dimensions.
2.2.3.1 Key Challenges Affecting Progress in Achieving Gender Equality and Equity
Although Zambia is making steady progress towards achieving gender equality and equity generally, there are some
notable challenges that continue to jeopardise the government’s efforts, particularly with regard to enhancing women’s
access to productive means such as land, as well as early and child marriages, to note a few areas. Some of these
challenges are institutional but the most critical ones are embedded in social structures. For instance, socially held beliefs
– such as, a lame baby is a curse or punishment from God, a girl’s place is in the kitchen, or a menstruating woman or girl
is unclean and must stay isolated during her period – have all contributed to, and continue to perpetuate, inequalities in
some areas.
Another aspect that has significantly affected implementation of well-meaning gender strategies and programmes is
the disharmony and dual aspect of Zambian laws. While article 11 of the 2016 Constitution acknowledges equal rights
regardless of gender or sex, article 23 accepts personal and customary law that perpetuates unconstitutional rules and
disciplines for as long as they are accepted by an ethnic group(s) as customs or traditions. This contradiction in the laws,
coupled with social prejudices and stereotypes, has seriously affected access and participation in empowering socio-
economic activities by some groups of society. Another example has to do with child marriages. While it is constitutionally
illegal for one to be married off before the age of 21, in most cultures, under customary law, a girl can be married off as
soon as she reaches puberty and a boy can marry likewise, provided he is able to provide for a family. Additionally, the
unfair distribution of property and land ownership rights under customary law has maninstreamed the non-observation of
women’s rights.
Despite the government’s commitment, the Ministry of Gender still faces financial, institutional, and technical capacity
challenges, such as inadequate funding and human resource capacity to effectively implement its programme as stipulated
in the Seventh National Development Plan. Both the private and public sectors continue to develop non-gender responsive
budgets; most sector policies remain gender-blind, making it difficult to highlight and measure gender equality and equity
issues. Therefore, there has been slow progress made in mainstreaming gender across all sectors of the economy.
While the legal and policy frameworks have been adequately articulated, there has been inadequate attention paid
to capacity-building, financial resources, and inclusive implementation approaches to enable implementing officers’ to
mainstream gender in their programming and programme implementation. There is also a general lack of appreciation of
the importance of gender issues by people working in the public and private sectors, which translates to a reluctance to
properly implement gender mainstreaming strategies and participate in gender and development programmes.
There is, in addition, an absence of sub-national implementation structures through which the Ministry of Gender could
foster gender analysis and mainstreaming at provincial and/or district levels. Furthermore, there are inadequate personnel
employed to specifically focus on gender issues in line ministries and most quasi-public and private institutions.
Despite the gaps and challenges affecting accelerated gender mainstreaming for equality and equity, there are also
opportunities for change. These opportunities include those provided by strongly leveraging partner strengths; consistent
and continued sector-specific gender awareness-raising; and institutional capacity development to ensure improved
sector reporting and accountability for gender equality and equity.
2.3 Partnerships for Gender and Development
The Zambian government has established strategic partnerships with local, regional, and global institutions and
organisations for enhancement and acceleration of gender mainstreaming in the country. The support received from these
partnerships includes financial and technical support.

3
Methodology
This section outlines the methods used in generating this Gender Status Report. The report is based on secondary data
analysis, with data drawn from two main sources: national surveys and administrative data. The Zambia Statistics Agency
(ZamStats), line ministries, and other agencies, including some private sector actors, provided the data, which was re-
analysed and used for compilation of this report.
3.1 Data Sources
The Zambia Statistics Agency collects data through censuses and surveys at the household and establishment/
enterprise levels. The resulting data and statistics from the surveys are used to generate the select indicators required
for developing the Gender Status Report. Specific data sources, both published and unpublished, include: Zambia
Demographic and Health Survey reports; Labour Force Survey reports; the Crop Forecasting Survey; and the National
Survey on Access and Usage of Information and Communication Technologies.
Other data sources used in producing this report have included published and unpublished reports or documents
generated from the administrative records/reports of different government ministries. Data from administrative sources
are usually collected routinely as part of ongoing data collection processes. Line ministries and other agencies obtain
administrative data as by-products of various programmes or routine activities. The sources of the administrative reports
include: the Ministries of Agriculture, Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Community Development, Education, Gender, Health,
Labour and Social Services, and Local Government; the Public Service Commission Division; the judiciary; the National
Assembly; the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission; and Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute. Data on
peacebuilding was collected from the United Nations (UN) open-access site on women in peacekeeping.
3.2 Methods for Data Compilation
3.2.1 Desk Review
A desk review was undertaken, which involved reviewing reports, development/strategic plans, and policy documents
pertaining to gender mainstreaming and empowerment. Relevant data was then extracted and re-analysed through a
critical gender lens.
3.2.2 Analysis
The analysis involved generating indicators from the reports or data sets of different surveys and statistics/information
compiled from administrative processes.
Qualitative and quantitative data triangulation using a gender lens was adopted. The focus was mostly on, but not
limited to, women and men having equal rights, and their life prospects, opportunities, and power to shape their own lives
and contribute to society (gender equality).
Data from the various reports and other sources – noted in section 3.1 above – was re-analysed to identify patterns
that speak to gender equality among men and women, adolescents, and youths in relation to the indicators of interest
for this report. The idea behind this re-analysis of data was to ensure an analytically enriched Gender Status Report that
highlights the conditions of vulnerability and empowerment among men, women, and other groups of interest, while
showing, where possible, the needs and potential for change in each category.
3.3 Data Quality
In order to ensure the production of quality data, the Zambia Statistics Agency uses international standards and best
practices. To ensure international compliance, ZamStats follows guidelines such as the UN Fundamental Principles of
Official Statistics, Principles of the African Charter on Statistics, and Strategy for the Harmonisation of Statistics in Africa
(SHaSA), as well as National Statistics Act No. 13 of 2018.

3.4 Limitations
The process of compiling the 2017–2019 Gender Status Report encountered the following limitations:
a. The technical working team did not get a timely response from select institutions to requests for gender-related
data. As a result, the production of the report was a protracted process.
b. Some of the provided data were not disaggregated by sex, as required for gender analysis.
c. In some cases, current data was not available, resulting in data gaps. For example, surveys and censuses are
conducted at specific intervals, hence data is only available during survey/census years.
d. There was no standardised format for administrative data, as all ministries have different ways/tools of collecting it,
and this further contributed to protracting the process of compiling this report.
e. All the available data sources had limited desegregation (i.e. only sex- and age-disaggregated data was available).
Hence, this report lacks analysis on the country’s performance in terms of inclusion of persons in socio-economic
activities.

PROGRESS IN KEY THEMATIC AREAS
4
Governance
and Decision-Making
In basic terms, governance is how society or groups within society organise to make decisions. According to the
World Bank, it is the way in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources
for development.12 Therefore, participation in governance at any level is critical because it influences how power is
distributed and used; determining who has decision-making power, how other players make their voices heard, and how
accountability is given.
Equal participation of women and men in governance and decision-making is key to achieving sustainable development.
In Zambia, although women (50.5 per cent) outnumber men (49.5 per cent), they are mostly on the side-lines when it
comes to participation and leadership in all forms of decision-making, including in political office, constitutional bodies,
public administration, the judiciary, and the private sector, as well as local, regional, and global development fora. This
has led to the under-representation of women and directly impacted national development. Therefore, the government has
committed to improving women’s active participation in both the public and private sectors. For instance, the Constitution
of Zambia upholds women’s rights to equal participation, and freedom of assembly and association.
This section, thus, provides an update on the current status of women’s participation, particularly in the legislature,
executive, and judiciary; local government; traditional leadership; public and quasi-public institutions; as well as
households.
4.1 Participation in the Legislature (Parliament)
As of 2019, the percentage of women in Zambia’s parliament had declined from 18.7 per cent in the preceding year
to 17.5 per cent. Women’s representation in parliament is, thus, below the SADC and global average of 23.9 per cent
and 24.3 per cent of women parliamentarians respectively.13 Table 4.1 shows the distribution of elected members of
parliament (MPs) by sex. Note that while the number of women MPs decreased by 1.3 percentage points in 2019, their
male counterparts increased in number by the same margin in the same year.
Table 4.1 Distribution of members of parliament by sex, 2017–2019
Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of

Year Total
women women men men
2017 30 18.0 137 82.0 167
2018 31 18.7 135 81.3 166
2019 29 17.4 138 82.6 167
Source: National Assembly. 2019.
The number of women parliamentarians remains low for various reasons. Among others, these reasons include
weakness in the legal framework to compel political parties to include more women and the poor economic status of
women – campaigning for a political seat is an expensive undertaking that only few women with access to financial
resources can take on. Another reason is the lack of a grade 12 school certificate, which is the minimum qualification to
stand as MP.
12
World Bank. n.d. “Understanding Poverty: Governance”. Available online: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/governance/overview [accessed 9 July 2020].
13
United Nations Women (UN Women). 2019. “Facts and Figures: Leadership and Political Participation: Women in Parliaments. Available online:
https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-figures.

4.2 Nominated Members of Parliament
Table 4.2 shows the distribution of nominated members of parliament by sex, 2017-2019.
Table 4.2 Distribution of nominated members of parliament by sex

Year Total
women women men men
2017 2 25.0 6 75.0 8
2018 3 37.5 5 62.5 8
2019 2 25.0 6 75.0 8
While the amended Constitution of 2016 calls for 50 per cent representation of each sex (men and women) in
nominations,14 table 4.2 (75 per cent men vs. 25 per cent women nominees) suggests that a shortfall exists in terms of
adherence to the constitutional law that aims to bridge the sex gap in parliamentary participation.
4.3 Participation in Cabinet
In Zambia, cabinet ministers are appointed by the head of state (the president), and they should ideally be appointed
on an equality basis. However, as in the case of nominated members of parliament, the number of women ministers
appointed to cabinet in 2019 was only nine (see table 4.3). Cabinet is the supreme policymaking and decision-making
body in Zambia, requiring representation of the voices of all citizens. The disproportionate representation of women in
cabinet suggests that their opinions on decisions of national development are often likely to be overshadowed, especially
if they do not align with the patriarchy.
Table 4.3 Distribution of cabinet ministers by sex, 2017–2019

Year Total
women women men men
2017 10 33.3 20 66.7 30
2018 10 33.3 20 66.7 30
2019 9 30.0 21 70.0 30
4.4 Provincial Ministers

Senior political positions at the provincial level are still completely dominated by men – all 10 Provincial Ministers are men.
4.5 Participation in Local Government – Councillors
Table 4.4 shows the numbers of women and men selected as councillors by all the political parties. Out of a total
of 1,624 selected councillors, only 7.7 per cent were women, while 92.3 per cent were men. The data is based on the
previous elections, held in 2016.
Table 4.4 Distribution of selected councillors by sex

Total
women women men men
125 7.7 1,499 92.3 1,624
Source: Local Government Service Commission. 2017.
This poor performance in terms of enhancing women’s participation at the local government level has led to Zambia
being ranked in the bottom four (i.e. in the fourth lowest position) among SADC countries, whose progress in this regard
is seriously concerning.15
4.6 Traditional Leadership
Traditional leadership has existed in Zambia since long before the advent of modern methods of governance. However,
the introduction of modern governance and human rights have led to a decline in some of the traditional and customary
practices associated with traditional leadership. Notwithstanding this development, the Zambian government has
continued to work closely with traditional leaders on critical national development issues.
14
Article 259(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Laws of Zambia.
15
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). 2018. Gender Statistics on Women’s Representation in Local Government: The Case of Zambia.

The chieftaincy is a position of power and influence. Chiefs in Zambia have control and power over their subjects,
even more so than the state in some cases (depending on the degree of urbanisation). This level of influence, thus,
makes traditional leaders (chiefs) essential stakeholders in advancing gender equality and equity in Zambia. It has
been observed that female chiefs have contributed more to achieving gender equality in sub-Saharan African countries,
especially in addressing early and child marriage, and girls’ education. However, men dominate traditional leadership
in Zambia, as shown in table 4.5. This status quo is perpetuated by traditional establishments that explicitly or implicitly
assert that while the chieftaincy lineage is matriarchal, mostly only sons are considered for leadership positions.
Table 4.5 shows traditional leadership in Zambia by sex, from 2017 to 2019, while table 4.6 shows traditional leadership
by sex and province. Of the 288 traditional leaders in 2019, only 27 were women; all paramount chiefs (the highest level
of traditional leadership) were men and only three women were second in rank as senior chiefs.
Table 4.5 Traditional leaders in Zambia
2017 2018 2019
Women Men Total Women Men Total Women Men Total
No. % No. % No. No. % No. % No. No. % No. % No.
Paramount
0.0 0.0 4.0 100.0 4 0.0 0.0 4.0 100.0 4 0.0 0.0 4.0 100.0 4
Chief
Senior Chief 3.0 6.7 42.0 93.3 45 3.0 6.7 42.0 93.3 45 3.0 6.7 42.0 93.3 45
Chiefs 24.0 10.1 214 89.9 238 24.0 10.1 214.0 94.5 238 24 10.1 214 95.1 238
Vacant
0.0 0.0 1.0 100.0 1 0.0 0.0 1.0 100.0 1 0.0 0.0 1.0 100.0 1
Thrones
27.0 9.4 260.0 90.6 288 27.0 9.4 260.0 90.6 288 27.0 9.4 260 90.6 288
Source: Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs. 2019.
Table 4.6 Number of senior chiefs by sex and province, 2019
Province Women Men Total

Central 0 4 4
Copperbelt 0 3 3
Eastern 0 5 5
Luapula 0 8 8
Lusaka 1 1 2
Muchinga 0 3 3
Northern 1 5 6
North Western 0 10 10
Southern 0 1 1
Western 1 2 3
Total 3 42 45
Source: Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs. 2019.
4.7 The Judiciary

The judiciary indisputably plays a critical role in determining how the law is interpreted and administered, and most
important, in protecting the rights of every person and group, regardless of sex, age, residence, and abilities. It is
essential that men and women are equally represented in the judicial systems of any country to minimise biases towards
one sex or group of people. Therefore, it is essential that both men and women have equal opportunities and are equally
represented in positions of influence or decision-making in the judiciary. According to the Doha Declaration on promoting
a culture of lawfulness, having the representation of women as judges, attorneys, and advocates, among others, is the
missing link to restoring judicial legitimacy and trust.16 It is plausible to suggest that women adjudicators are more likely
to bring a more comprehensive and gendered perspective to the judicial system, by balancing the legal basis for judicial
action with how it may be influenced by gender stereotyping, as well as a strong awareness of the consequences on
those affected.17
16
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). n.d. The Doha Declaration on Promoting a Culture of Lawfulness.
Available online: https://www.unodc.org/dohadeclaration/
17
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). n.d. “The Role of Women Judges and a Gender Perspective in Ensuring Judicial Independence and Integrity”.

Like all SADC countries (except Seychelles),18 Zambia needs to make greater efforts to ensure that more women take
up management positions in the judicial system. Currently, of the 283 adjudicators in Zambia, 39.6 per cent are women,
while 60.4 per cent are men. However, it must be noted that women’s representation is greater than that of men at the
Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court levels, with women accounting for 57.1 per cent, 58.3 per cent, and
53.3 per cent respectively – which is a trend similar to that in countries such as Tanzania and Zimbabwe.19
Table 4.7 shows the distribution of adjudicators in the judiciary by type of court and sex, from 2017 to 2019.
Table 4.7 Distribution of adjudicators (judges) by sex and type of court, 2017–2019
2017 2018 2019
Women Men Total Women Men Total Women Men Total
No. % No. % No. No. % No. % No. No. % No. % No.
Supreme Court 4 30.8 9 69.2 13 4 30.8 9 69.2 13 4 33.3 8 66.7 12
Constitutional Court 4 57.1 3 42.9 7 4 57.1 3 42.9 7 4 57.1 3 42.9 7
Court of Appeal 7 58.3 5 41.7 12 7 58.3 5 41.7 12 7 58.3 5 41.7 12
High Court 22 57.9 16 42.1 38 24 54.6 20 45.5 44 25 53.3 20 46.7 45
Subordinate Court 69 33.3 138 66.7 207 71 34.30 131 65.70 202 72 35.3 132 64.7 204
Total 106 38.3 171 61.7 277 110 38.87 173 61.13 283 112 39.6 171 60.4 283
The importance of equal representation of women and men in the judiciary – on the bar, the bench, and other managerial
positions in the justice delivery system – cannot be overemphasised: it has the potential to lead to greater access to
justice in a country.
4.8 Public Service Commissions
Table 4.8 shows the percentage distribution of managers in rural and urban areas by sex. In 2019, the percentage of
women managers was higher in urban than in rural areas at 33.8 per cent and 31.8 per cent respectively. In the case of
men managers, it was higher in rural than in urban areas at 68.3 per cent and 66.2 per cent respectively.
Table 4.8 Distribution of senior/middle management by sex, 2017–2019
No. of women % of women No. of men % of men Total

Rural 3,431 25.3 10,126 74.7 13,557.00
Urban 16,080 34.8 30,144 65.2 46,224.00
2017 Total 19,511 40,270.00 59,781.00
Rural 19,062 38.6 30,288.00 61.4 49,350.00
Urban 45,677 41.3 64,912.00 58.7 110,589.00
2018 Total 64,739 95,200.00 159,939.00
Rural 12,274 31.8 26,388.00 68.3 38,662.00
Urban 39,626 33.8 77,486.00 66.2 117,112.00
2019 Total 51,900 103,874.00 155,774.00
Source: Central Statistical Office (CSO). 2018. Labour Force Survey.
4.9 Permanent Secretaries

Table 4.9 shows the distribution of permanent secretaries by sex, from 2017 to 2019. In 2017, out of a total of 55, 13
were women and 42 were men. In 2018, out of a total of 56, there were 12 women and 44 men. In 2019, of 57 permanent
secretaries, 13 were women and 44 were men.
Table 4.9 Permanent secretaries
Year No. of women % of women No. of men % of men Total

2017 13 23.6 42 76.4 55
2018 12 21.4 44 78.6 56
2019 13 22.8 44 77.2 57
Source: Cabinet Policy Analysis and Coordination Division. 2019.
18
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2016. SADC Gender and Development Monitor 2016.
19

The data in table 4.9 shows an extreme variance at this level of management, with only about 23.6 per cent of permanent
secretaries being women in 2017, 21.4 per cent in 2018, and 22.8 per cent in 2019. This suggests that either there is a
bias towards having men in senior government positions or there are cascaded inequalities in education (where fewer
women are educated to higher education levels and therefore able to take up senior roles).
4.10 Directors in the Civil Service
Table 4.10 shows the distribution of directors in the civil service by sex. In 2019, the total number of directors in the civil
service was 265, with 85 women and 180 men accounting for 32.1 and 67.9 per cent respectively.
Table 4.10 Directors in the civil service, 2019
Year No. of women % of women No. of men % of men Total

2019 85 32.1 180 67.9 265
Source: Public Service Management Division (PSMD). 2019.
4.11 Management Positions in State-Owned Enterprises

Table 4.11 shows the percentage distribution of management positions in state-owned enterprises in 2018. The table
further shows that there was a total of 523 individuals in management positions in state-owned enterprises, and of this
total, only 110 were women.
Table 4.11 State-owned enterprise management positions, 2018
No. of women % of women No. of men % of men Total

110 21.0 413 79.0 523
Source: Industrial Development Cooperation. 2018.
To reiterate, advancing the equal participation of both men and women in all sectors of governance and decision-
making is more likely to lead to a greater ethos for gender-aligned legislation, programming, budgeting, and programme
implementation; thus, accelerating progress towards the achievement of national, regional, and global development
aspirations. Women’s participation in politics, as well as all other aspects of decision-making as presented in this section,
truly advances gender equality, affecting both the range of policy issues that get considered and the types of solutions
that are proposed. Additionally, the fact that whether a decision-maker is a woman or a man has a distinct impact on their
policy priorities cannot be overlooked when discussing the need for equal participation in this respect.
Despite improvements to the legal framework to enhance women’s participation, particularly in political leadership at
the national and sub-national levels, counter policies have also been instituted that have, in fact, excluded most women
from participating by way of contesting political seats. For instance, it is evident, and almost common knowledge, that
there are fewer women than men educated to the secondary and tertiary levels, yet the Constitution of Zambia adds the
caveat of a minimum education qualification for those contesting the position of ward counsellor (grade 12 certificate),
MP, or president (at least a higher education qualification). In addition, media coverage of male political candidates is
greater than that of women aspirants.20
20
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). 2018. Gender Statistics on Women’s Representation in Local Government: The Case of Zambia.

5
Poverty
and Economic Empowerment
Addressing poverty among women, and empowering them and ensuring their control over resources is essential for
realising gender equality, and consequently, accelerated sustainable development. Women’s empowerment here refers,
thus, to the ability of women to control and benefit from resources, assets, and income, as well as to have control over their
own time. It also means the ability to manage risk and to improve their social and economic status and well-being.21 Such
empowerment enhances both the quality and the quantity of human resources available for development. It is, therefore,
beneficial for the government and public institutions to implement policies and programmes that empower citizens,
especially women and girls who, by virtue of their sex, face socio-economic marginalisation, have limited access and
control over productive resources, and face barriers to participation in decision-making at all levels from the household
level on up.
The Government of Zambia has, for that reason, focused on increasing the ability of women and girls, as well as the
youth, to actively seize economic opportunities that enhance their well-being, and in the case of women and girls, that
enable them to compete favourably with their male counterparts in the development arena. This section highlights the
programmes implemented in Zambia over the last three years (from 2017 to 2019) with regard to women and girls’
empowerment.
5.1 Policy Environment and Mechanisms to Address Poverty and Women’s Empowerment
As alluded to in previous sections, the Zambian government continues to be committed to reducing poverty and
promoting women and adolescent girls’ empowerment, as well as the youth in general, through legislation such as
Gender Equity and Equality Act No. 22 of 2015. Apart from aiming to domesticate regional and international treaties,
conventions, and declarations, this Act gives effect to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women. It is also envisaged that through this Act, women’s empowerment targets that meet the international
standards set by the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as those of Zambia Vision 2030, will be effectively realised.
Several programmes tailored to reducing the poverty gap and addressing the marginalisation of individuals and groups
are underway in Zambia. Most of these programmes are targeted at rural and peripheral urban areas where inequalities
are highest. Implementation of these programmes is also aligned with the Seventh National Development Plan, and aims
to increase productivity and support the capitalisation of start-ups.
Key empowerment programmes include: the Agriculture Development Through Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE)
project; the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP); and the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment
and Livelihood (GEWEL) project. In addition, Zambia has several social protection schemes. All programmes and poverty
alleviation schemes are being implemented with support from partners, either through direct financial and technical
support to the Ministry of Gender and relevant line ministries or through partner implementing non-governmental
organisations (NGOs).
5.2 Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood Programmes
5.2.1 Agriculture Development Through Value Chain Enhancement
Empowering women in agriculture is one way of enhancing food security and increasing household incomes and
agricultural productivity. Several programmes are underway with the aim of empowering women to participate in
agricultural activities, including the Agriculture Development Through Value Chain Enhancement project.
The ADVANCE project started in 2015 and is still ongoing. The project aims to empower women in rural agriculture,
encouraging them to leverage existing social capital schemes by joining or forming cooperatives and to use mechanised
forms of agriculture. It aims to provide agricultural equipment to all chiefdoms (288) in the country. The project also
endeavours to create jobs, through the value chain approach, by engaging women-led cooperatives in the mechanisation
of the agriculture sector.
21

5.2.2 Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood
The GEWEL project is an economic empowerment programme, aimed at empowering 75,000 women in 51 rural districts
with entrepreneurial skills and start-up capital worth $225 per beneficiary. The purpose is to contribute towards increasing
women’s access to finance and enhancing their participation in the economy; and to alleviate women’s poverty. Since its
inception, a total of 74,998 women in 51 districts have benefited from this programme. (See table 5.1 for more information
on the distributions under the programme for the years under review.)
Table 5.1 Distribution of beneficiaries under the GEWEL project, 2017–2019
Phase Year No. of districts No. of beneficiaries

Phase I 2017 11 11,983
Phase II 2018 20 20,837
Phase III 2019 20 42,178
Total 51 74,998
Source: Ministry of Gender, Planning Department. 2019.
5.2.3 Microcredit Scheme – Livelihood and Empowerment Support Scheme

The government continued facilitating the Microcredit Scheme for vulnerable women, as a means to empower them to
develop and grow business skills for survival, while stimulating savings and financial inclusion at the community level. The
scheme benefited 14,849 women with seed money of about 3.6 million Zambian kwacha in 2019, from which seed money
worth K4.7 million was projected to be realised by the end of 2020 (see table 5.2).
Table 5.2 Distribution of microcredit financing to women, 2019
Amount Projection of
Amount of loans Total # of growth for
Working Current of loans recovered/ women the working
capital working disbursed in # of women expected to loaned since capital by
Province started with capital 2019 loaned be recovered inception end of 2020
Central 400,000.00 546,840.00 455,700.00 518 546,840.00 2,249 656,208.00
Copperbelt 405,000.00 511,000.00 467,000.00 505 557,652.80 2,530 863,958.00
Eastern 236,000.00 442,116.00 400,000.00 485 481,980.00 1,996 700,000.00
Luapula 375,000.00 244,200.00 124,700.00 358 119,953.36 1,671 341,880.00
Lusaka 289,000.00 289,050.00 289,050.00 291 346,860.00 291 346,860.00
Muchinga 200,000.00 214,585.00 214,585.00 207 254,502.00 207 307,520.00
Northern 230,000.00 280,000.00 135,000.00 149 336,000.00 954 392,000.00
North Western 334,200.00 183,085.70 157,300.00 174 208,070.00 833 234,746.00
Southern 375,000.00 255,625.00 255,625.00 258 306,670.00 2,600 306,670.00
Western 125,000.00 359,141.00 435,801.00 381 399,660.00 1,518 544,196.00
Total 2,969,200.00 3,325,642.70 2,934,761.00 3,326 3,558,188.16 14,849 4,694,038.00
Source: Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS). 2019. Annual Report.
5.2.4 Mechanised Farming Equipment Programme

This is a social protection programme, which supports women’s groups to engage in agricultural production through
the distribution of farming equipment to cooperatives countrywide. To be eligible to receive farming equipment under this
programme, cooperatives are required to have membership comprised of at least 70 per cent women and 30 per cent
men. It is also required that the cooperative chairperson be a woman.
Table 5.2 shows the number of tractors distributed to cooperatives by province. Between 2017 and 2019, tractors had
been distributed to various cooperatives for agricultural use in four provinces: Eastern province received 20, followed by
Copperbelt, which received two, with Central province and Muchinga each receiving one.

Table 5.3 Distribution of tractors to cooperatives by province, 2017–2019
No. of tractors No. of beneficiary

Province Women (%) Men (%)
distributed cooperatives/clubs
Eastern 20 200 70 30
Central 1 10 70 30
Muchinga 1 10 70 30
Copperbelt 2 20 70 30
Total 24 240
Source: Ministry of Gender, Gender in Development, Empowerment Unit. 2019.
5.2.5 50 Million African Women Speak Project

In 2018, Zambia launched the digital networking platform known as the 50 Million African Women Speak Project
(50MAWSP). The aim of the platform is to empower women and youth to start, grow, and scale up their businesses, as well
as to mentor each other through a real-time, one-stop comprehensive information hub. The platform also provides women
and youth with access to online marketing to sell their products. From the time of its launch in 2018 to 2019, over 2,500
women and youth have registered on the platform and are using it to access finance and networking.
While the project’s aim is to increase access to business information and to improve skills, it only benefits those women
and youth with access to information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly smart phones or computers with
Internet access. Thus, it may widen the gap within the demographic groups (i.e. women and youth), given that those
residing in rural areas are most challenged by the lack of, or inefficient, ICT infrastructure and services.22
5.2.6 Financial Assistance
Women face challenges in accessing productive resources, including finance, be this individually or in groups. For this
reason, initiatives to ensure women have access to financial support are being implemented. In 2018, the Bank of Zambia
launched a gender unit specifically to look at patterns in access to finance through a gender lens. Also, a National Financial
Strategy for 2017–2022 was developed with the objective of providing a framework for the development of a stable, resilient,
competitive, and inclusive financial sector that contributes viably to economic growth and wealth creation. This strategy
anchors on a structure that integrates strategies for improving access, usage, and quality to improve the standard of living
of all Zambians.23
Building on this strategy, the Zambian government, in collaboration with partners, provides financial support to women
and youth through Citizens Economic Empowerment grants; Youth Empowerment grants; and other cooperative support
programmes offering women and women’s groups interest-free and, in some cases, collateral-free loans.
Table 5.4 shows the number of women’s clubs that received start-up capital by province. Of the three provinces that
received financial support, Eastern province had the highest number of beneficiary clubs (82), followed by Copperbelt (12)
and Lusaka (1).
Table 5.4 Number of women’s clubs that received start-up capital by province, 2019
Province No. of beneficiary clubs Women (%) Men (%)

Eastern 82 100 0
Copperbelt 12 100 0
Lusaka 1 100 0
Total 95 100 0
Source: Ministry of Gender, Gender in Development, Empowerment Unit. 2019.
The 2017 annual report of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) indicates that funding was
apportioned as follows: 43 per cent to women, 26 per cent to youth, 2 per cent to people living with disabilities, and 29 per
cent to men.
Despite the measures that have been taken to improve the uptake of financial assistance among women and youth,
the disparity in terms of access to finance still exists. Factors that create this disparity include low literacy levels; lack of
awareness of ICT; poor flow of information on how and where to access financial assistance;25 lack of awareness of existing
22
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). 2018. National Survey on Access and Usage of Information and Communication
Technologies by Households and Individuals: A Demand Side Assessment of Access and Usage of ICTs in Zambia.
23
Ministry of Finance (Zambia). 2017. National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2017–2022.
24
Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). 2017. 2017 Annual Report.
25
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), Ministry of Health, and ICF. 2019. Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Lusaka and Rockville, MD.

financial support schemes; lack of available local financial institutions, especially in rural areas; lack of access to ICT for
access to digital financial services; and, quite simply, lack of bank accounts. Other factors include high interest rates
from lending institutions.26
5.2.7 Transforming Rural Livelihoods in Western Zambia
The Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection is implementing this $38.22 million project. It is aimed at
providing sustainable and equitable access to improved water supply and sanitation to meet the basic health needs and
alleviate the poverty of the rural population across Western province. As of 2019, 568,401 people had been provided with
access to improved water supply and sanitation, with 52 per cent of this number estimated to have been women. Also,
288 area pump minders were trained in the operation and maintenance of water points, of which number 50 per cent are
women. This implies that women have been empowered to generate income from pump-minding work. Furthermore, with
improved access to water supply, women’s burden of looking for and fetching water has been eased, and thus they can
actively engage in other productive activities to enhance their well-being and household incomes.
5.2.8 Lake Tanganyika Development Project
This is a $29.62 million project implemented by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection. It is
aimed at improving the quality of livelihood of populations dependant on Lake Tanganyika and to protect the ecological
integrity of the lake basin. The project involves promoting sustainable management and use of Zambia’s natural
resources in the Lake Tanganyika catchment area, improving livelihoods of lake basin communities through economic
infrastructure development and diversification of economic activities, and promoting market linkage and value chains of
natural resource products.
Table 5.5 Achievements under the Lake Tanganyika Development Project–Northern Province, 2017–2019
Project area Activity Target Achieved Beneficiaries (%)

Promoting sustainable Conduct awareness campaigns on 4 campaigns 4 campaigns 920 men and 516
management and use sustainable land management women
of Zambia’s natural
resources in the Lake
Tanganyika catchment
area
Improving livelihoods Raise and distribute fruit tree 80,000 fruit tree 13,432 fruit tree 760 men and 1,140
of lake basin seedlings for establishment of fruit seedlings seedlings women
communities through orchards
economic infrastructure
development and
diversification of
economic activities
Train women in hygienic fish 100 training 29 training 348 women
processing aimed at reducing sessions sessions
illegal capture fishing methods,
establishment of fish ponds and fish
cages, and improved hygienic fish
processing, leading to increased
household incomes from fisheries
Establish women and youth 155 women and 155 women and 2,325 women and
groups for seed diversification youth groups youth groups youths
and bee-keeping. This is meant to
promote environmentally friendly
livelihoods and raise women and
youth’s participation in meaningful
economic activities that uplift their
own lives and create employment
for them.
Promoting market Undertake functional literacy 100 sessions 100 sessions 308 women, with
linkage and value chains classes for women and women 44 already linked to
of natural resources drop-outs income-generating
products cooperatives
Source: Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection. 2020.
26
Bank of Zambia. 2018. Financial Inclusion Journal.

5.3 Decision-Making at the Household Level
Decision-making at the household level depicts the disproportionate power relations between men and women. It
influences several issues such as the ability to negotiate for safer sex, access to reproductive health, education, as well
as access to and control over resources – with the one who has less decision-making power mostly affected.
In this report, women are considered to have participated in household decisions if they make the decisions alone or
jointly with their husbands in the following four areas: 1) their own healthcare; 2) daily household purchases; 3) major
household purchases; and 4) visits to their own family or relatives.
Figure 5.1 suggests that except for decisions about their own health, married women aged 15 to 49 are less likely
to make independent decisions on major household purchases compared to married men in the same age group.
For instance, as of 2018, 24.2 per cent of women compared to 26.8 per cent of men independently decided on major
household purchases. Gender inequalities are further highlighted when the data is considered from the perspectives of
education level, area of residence, and wealth. Women with a higher education level and those in urban areas seem to be
more assertive than their rural and lowly educated counterparts. According to the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health
Survey, 27 per cent of women with a higher education level tended to make decisions in all four areas. Similarly, women
in the highest wealth quintile are most likely to make independent or joint decisions in all four areas.
Figure 5.1. Married women aged 15–49 who participate in decision-making at the household level, 2018
70 Own health care Daily household purchases
Major household purchases
60
50
Percentage
40
30
20
10
0
Joint Spouse Makes own Joint Spouse Makes own
decision-making makes decisions decision-making makes decisions
decisions decisions
Men Women
Adapted from Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2018.
While there is a positive shift in women’s participation in household decision-making, more effort is required to address
issues prohibiting rural and uneducated women from fully engaging in such decision-making. The reality is that poverty,
education level, and access to resources, all play a significant role in the extent to which women are assertive in household
decision-making.
5.3.1 Control over Household Income Among Married People in Zambia
Women’s access to economic resources, such as finance, is meaningless if they are unable to control how these
resources are used. In Zambia, among married people, there has been a growing shift from men having ultimate control
over women’s income to joint control over resources. However, the percentage of women (31 per cent) who independently
control their own resources lags behind men (34.5 per cent). Furthermore, 18 per cent of women with access to an
income have their husband determine how the money is used, compared to 8.4 per cent of men whose income use is
determined by their wives.29
Joint control over one’s income among married people in Zambia can be classified as a stepping block towards
creating household wealth. This is because 69.1 per cent and 70 per cent of the wealthiest men and women respectively
jointly decide how to use their individually earned income. It is also worth noting that the decision to jointly control income
features more among those in a higher income bracket and dwelling in urban areas. Figure 5.2 shows overall control of
use of one’s income by sex.
27
28
29

Figure 5.2 Control over income by sex
60
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
Joint control over income use Spouse controls income use Controls own income
Men Women
Although it appears (in figure 5.2) that husbands are more likely to jointly decide on how their income is used, it must
be reiterated that the opposite is, in fact, true considering that there are more married men (97 per cent) in payable
employment than there are married women (59 per cent).30
According to the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, there has been a decline of 10 percentage points in women
controlling use of their own income since 2001. In 2001/2002, 41 per cent of women controlled use of their income
compared to 31 per cent in 2018. However, during the same period, there was an increase in the percentage of women
who made joint decisions with their husbands, from 31 per cent to 51 per cent; providing a possible explanation for the
noted decline.
It suffices to note once again the influence education level, wealth, and residential area have on determining how
partners decide on financial resources. About 73 per cent of women with a higher education level are likely to jointly
decide on how to use their income; this is more than those with no education or primary and secondary level education.
Similarly, both men and women in urban areas and those in the medium to highest wealth quantiles are more likely
than those in rural areas and in low wealth quantiles to make decisions together. It can thus be argued that addressing
women’s empowerment must go hand in hand with improving their literacy (education); and continuously challenge the
detrimental cultural and social beliefs of both men and women in rural areas and those with low education, among whom
such beliefs (and practices) may still hold the strongest.
Unequal power relations between men and women, with men being more domineering, remain a significant challenge,
affecting how a household, particularly married women, use income for empowerment investments.
5.3.2 Negotiating Sexual Relationships
The power dynamics in a sexual relationship have the potential to perpetuate gender inequalities, pushing women
and youth further into positions of social and economic disadvantage. The ability to negotiate for sex, particularly safer
sex, is critical in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and unwanted pregnancies. In
addition, having mutual responsibility for, and understanding towards, each other’s sexual desires helps in reducing
sexual violence against both sexes. Unfortunately, in Zambia, as in most SADC and African countries, addressing power
inequality in sexual relations is hindered by cultural teachings that suggest that a woman may not negotiate for sex.
Interestingly, it is the women who believe that men should take control in a sexual relationship. According to the Zambia
Demographic and Health Survey, 56 per cent of married women aged between 15 and 49 believe that a wife is not
justified in refusing to have sexual intercourse with her husband if she knows he has sex with other women. Meanwhile,
66 per cent of Zambian married men in the same category believe otherwise. Similarly, 81 per cent of men, compared
to 73 per cent of women, believe that it is a woman’s right to ask her partner to use a condom during sexual intercourse.
Strong belief in the idea that a woman cannot negotiate sex is predominant among rural communities. Women (59 per
cent) and men (72 per cent) in urban areas are more likely than those in rural areas (52 per cent of women and 61 per
cent of men) to believe that a woman is justified in refusing sexual intercourse with her husband when she knows that he
has sex with other women. Likewise, a greater percentage of men and women in urban areas (82 per cent and 75 per
30

cent respectively) than in rural areas (80 per cent and 71 per cent respectively) believe that a woman can demand use
of a condom during sex, especially if her partner has an STI.31
5.4 Access and Ownership of Assets – Housing and Land
Access to and ownership of housing and land is essential as it provides both social and economic security. Other
than providing shelter for the owner, housing can be used as a source of income, as well as acceptable collateral for
financial loans. Similarly, land offers economic benefits as it can be used as collateral, for farming or any other business
opportunity requiring use of land. Land can also be leased out, thus providing the owner income. Access to land, in
particular, is fundamental to social and economic development.32
As indicated in section 2.1, Zambia’s population is predominantly female (50.5 per cent) and youthful (45 per cent).
Furthermore, when compared with men, women contribute more to national development through unpaid and agricultural
labour. Yet, women and youth have limited access to the critical resources of land and housing, which they need in order
to be able to contribute fully and tangibly towards improving their livelihoods, as well as towards the country’s social and
economic security.
Against this background, the Land Policy of Zambia was recently revised to include provisions prioritising the issuance
of state land to women. For instance, it is now law that for every piece of state land on sale, 50 per cent must be offered to
women first, while maintaining their right to still contest for the other 50 per cent offered to the general public.33 In addition,
civil society organisations have also stepped in and sought to compliment the government’s efforts by supporting women
and youth in accessing land, by offering them affordable and flexible land payment plans.
However, statistics still show that women’s access to land is significantly lower than that of men. Figure 5.3 shows land
ownership by sex, while figure 5.5 shows titled land ownership by sex. Note that joint ownership of land or housing is also
considered as empowerment for the woman.
Figure 5.3 Ownership of land by women and men aged 15–49
80
70
60
50
Percentage
40
30
20
10
Own land alone Own land jointly Own land both alone Do not own land
and jointly
Women Men
As seen in figure 5.3, though land ownership is generally low among both sexes, women remain the least likely to own
land and constitute the majority (73.8 per cent) of those who do not own any land. However, despite being in the minority
among landowners, women are more likely to share ownership of land, as suggested in figure 5.3, with 18 per cent of
women co-owning land.
Ownership of land also increases by age, generally speaking. As figure 5.4 illustrates, young people, regardless of
age, are further constrained in accessing and owning land. This is perhaps because most Zambian young people are
not engaged in income-generation activities, making it difficult for them to buy either state or customary land. However,
note the change in pattern between young women and older women. Among women landowners, there are more women
aged between 15 and 29 than in older age groups, suggesting a shift in mind-set and desire for more empowerment
among younger women.
31
32
Ministry of Lands (Zambia). 2000. Land Policy.
33
Ministry of Lands (Zambia). 2018. Land Policy.

Figure 5.4 Ownership of land either alone or jointly by sex and age
60
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49
Women Men
Just as access to and ownership of land is important for social and economic reasons, owning land on title is preferable.
Figure 5.5 Type of land ownership by sex
100
80
60
Percentage
40
20
0
Has land title Has joint title deed Does not have land title Does not know if land
is titled
Women Men
Land ownership by women in rural areas is higher (32.7 per cent) than it is among women in urban areas (6.8 per
cent), just as it is in the case of rural men (39.4 per cent) vs. urban men (10.5 per cent).34 But, the percentages of men
and women who own land or a house with a title is higher in urban areas compared to rural areas. A possible explanation
for this lies in the difference in the land tenure system. Allocation of land in rural areas is mainly guided by customary
law, which does not permit (unless approved by traditional leadership) a person to acquire title as the land is customary
land.35 Also, customary land is easily accessible: the only requirement is membership of the community, and the village
headman, with approval from the chief, allocates the land to the person. As a result, individuals in rural areas (where land
is mostly customary) are at an advantage compared to their counterparts in urban areas, where land is state-owned and
requires a longer, competitive, and sometimes expensive and complicated process to acquire. However, having land or
a house that is titled is easier for urban residents because of easy access to the Ministry of Lands, which is responsible
for issuing and changing ownership of these assets.
34
35
Ministry of Lands (Zambia).

Patterns of access to and owning a house, and whether the owned house is on title, are not very different to those vis-
à-vis land. Still, women across the country have less ownership when considered separately. However, it suffices to note
that slightly over 20 per cent of women jointly own a house compared to about 15.2 per cent of men. Figures 5.6 and 5.7
show house ownership and titled house ownership, respectively, among men and women aged 15–45, while figure 5.8
shows ownership by sex and age of house owner(s).
Figure 5.6 House ownership by sex
70
60
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
0
Own a house alone Own a house jointly Own a house alone Do not own a house
and jointly
Type of ownership
Women Men
Figure 5.7 House ownership on title by sex
100
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
0
House on title Do not have a Own house on title but Do not know if
house title her/his name is not on the title house is on title
Women Men
In terms of regional discrepancies, women and men in urban areas have more access to land and house title than their
rural counterparts: 27.4 per cent and 1.6 per cent of urban and rural men respectively have access to a house with a title
deed, while 29.1 per cent and 3.2 per cent of urban and rural women respectively have access to the same. As in the
case of land, a house built on customary land cannot have title unless a chief authorises the land upon which the house
is built to be state land (i.e. have title).

Figure 5.8 House ownership either alone or jointly by sex and age
70
60
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49
Women Men
The emphasis on the need for women and youth to own assets such as the ones discussed here is to enable them to
achieve greater participation in social and economic activities, and to improve their own and their family’s well-being.
However, while access to land allows individuals, for instance, to farm, untitled land in Zambia cannot be used as
collateral; titled land or housing is a key requirement for accessing financial assistance, and having money is necessary
for business investments, whether as a start-up or for business expansion. The latter also implies that one can compete
at a larger scale, and consequently, contribute more to the national economy.
For as long as ownership of land and housing continues to be untitled, both men and women, as well as youth – except
for those in the higher wealth quantiles – will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.
5.5 Social Protection Programmes
In addition to economic empowerment, social protection is a human right and an integral part of efforts towards achieving
the global 2030 Agenda, as well as Zambia’s Vision 2030 and 7NDP, of poverty reduction and social and economic
development.36 Social protection aims at addressing poverty inequalities among and within given population groups.
The Zambian government defines it as “policies and rules that look after the lives and welfare of people, especially poor
people.”37 According to the Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC), social protection is a viable tool for reducing
poverty because it targets households that, by virtue of their lack of basic needs being met, are more susceptible to risk
and shock.38
In order to alleviate poverty – especially among women and girls in Zambia – the government, with support from partners,
developed the 2014–2018 National Policy as a guide for the provision of social protection services. To operationalise the
policy, the government has been working, and continues to work, with various partners in ensuring the provision of regular
and targeted social protection measures through the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) scheme, the Public Welfare Assistance
Scheme (PWAS), and Food Security Pack (FSP), as well as building community skills to make communities more resilient
in this era of climate change and health pandemics like cholera and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease). Other projects
include a Women Empowerment Programme, Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) initiative, and Keeping Girls in
School under the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood project.
This section discusses some social protection schemes, and how they have benefited the target populations in the
years under review.
36
Ministry of Community Development, Mother, and Child Health (MCDMCH) (Zambia). 2014. Republic of Zambia National Social Protection Policy 2014–2018.
37
Ministry of Community Development, Mother, and Child Health (MCDMCH) (Zambia). 2014. Republic of Zambia National Social Protection Policy 2014–2018, p. 6.
38
Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC). 2016. Social Protection and Livelihood Series. “Assessing the Impact of Social Cash Transfer” (PMRC briefing
document).

5.5.1 Social Cash Transfer Scheme
The Social Cash Transfer scheme is the largest social assistance programme being implemented in the country. It
aims to assist the most vulnerable households in meeting their basic needs, such as food, health, education, and shelter
essentials. This programme has been successful in lifting the standards of living of vulnerable households, with some
being able to send children to school and to attain food and nutrition security. Note that the data presented here is
reflective of 2019, therefore no comparisons with other years are made.
In 2019, a total of 632,327 individuals directly benefited from the scheme. Table 5.6 shows the breakdown by sex. The
selection of beneficiaries for the scheme was based on assessing the vulnerability of households. Households with the
most vulnerability (i.e. those that could not meet their food, healthcare, education, and essential shelter needs) were, thus,
selected to receive additional support in the form of cash.
Table 5.6 Number and percentage distribution of beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer, 2019
Sex No. of beneficiaries % of beneficiaries

Men 166,523 26.3
Women 465,804 73.7
Total 632,327 100
Source: Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. 2019. Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Annual Report.
Figure 5.9 shows the percentage of women and men that benefited from the Social Cash Transfer scheme in each
province in 2019. Overall, there were more women beneficiaries than men beneficiaries in all the provinces, indicating that
there are more women-headed households than men-headed households that fail to meet their basic needs. The highest
percentage was in Luapula province, where men comprised 21.3 per cent and women 78.7 per cent of beneficiaries.
Figure 5.9 Percentage of beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer scheme by sex and province, 2019
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
Luapula Eastern Southern North Western Total Lusaka Northern Muchinga Central Copperbelt
Western
Male Female
When considered by sex distribution,39 Luapula province (17.7 per cent) still emerges as having the highest percentage
of women facing challenges in accessing their basic needs, followed by Eastern and Western provinces. Conversely,
Northern province has the most men (12.6 per cent) failing to meet the basic needs of their households, followed by
Copperbelt, Central, and Muchinga provinces, as shown in figure 5.10.
The noted variability within the sex categories is an indication of the heterogeneity of the province – a critical factor for
consideration in the distribution of economic empowerment and social protection support, if poverty inequalities are to
be effectively addressed.
39
Sex distribution or proportion distribution is calculated as the proportion of women or men in a given province.

Figure 5.10 Sex distribution of Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries for each province in 2019
20
18
16
14
12
10
Lusaka Muchinga Central Copperbelt North Northern Southern Western Eastern Luapula
Western
Male Female
5.5.2 Food Security Pack Programme

The Food Security Pack is another national safety net programme. This programme is in line with SDG Goal 2
(zero hunger), which appeals to countries to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote
sustainable agriculture. Zambia’s FSP programme targets vulnerable but viable households, which are then given access
to production inputs to enable them to engage in food production that can lead to improved food security.
In the 2018/2019 farming season, the FSP-targeted population comprised caregivers to orphans; households headed
by people living with disabilities; households headed by women, children, or the terminally ill; unemployed youths; and
aged persons. The programme supported 54,663 poor and vulnerable but viable farmer households, falling short of
a target of 80,000 due to budget constraints. The target comprised 12,389 continuing beneficiaries from the previous
season, entering the second and last year of the support cycle, and 42,274 newly identified beneficiaries.
The support comprised nutrition-sensitive inputs, including maize seed (10 kilogrammes), legumes (10 and 2.5
kilogrammes), and Compound D (50 kilogrammes) and Urea (50 kilogrammes) fertilisers. The majority of beneficiaries
were women-headed households, accounting for 69.2 per cent, with men-headed households comprising 30.8 per cent
of the total, as shown in table 5.7. Of these households, 84 per cent had orphans and/or were child-headed and/or
terminally-ill-headed households; 7 per cent were headed by persons with disabilities; while 9 per cent were households
headed by unemployed youth.
Table 5.7 Number distribution of household heads that benefited from the Food Security Pack programme, 2018/2019
Women Men
No. % No. % Total
Rural household heads 24,527 70.1 10,453 29.9 34,980
Urban household heads 13,298 67.6 6,385 32.4 19,683
Total 37,825 69.2 16,838 30.8 54,663
Source: Ministry of Community and Social Services. 2018. Annual Report.
As figure 5.11 shows, rural areas had the highest percentage share of households that benefited from the Food Security
Pack, with men-headed households accounting for 64.8 per cent and women-headed households for 35.2 per cent.
Urban areas had a lower percentage share of FSP programme beneficiaries, with 62.1 per cent of the beneficiaries being
female-headed households and 37.9 per cent male-headed households in these areas.

Figure 5.11 Percentage distribution of household heads that benefited from the Food Security Pack programme,
2018/2019
64.8%
62.1%
37.9%
35.2%
Rural Urban
Male Female
Despite every indication that poverty, as measured by the proxies of wealth and income (in this case), is highest among
women-headed households in both urban and rural areas, the distribution of farmer inputs under the FSP programme
seems to benefit more men than women in rural areas. This inequality has the potential to hold women back from escaping
the poverty cycle and instead to push them further into deeper vulnerabilities of risk and shock.
5.5.3 Community Skills Development
This programme is aimed at imparting survival skills and knowledge for improved livelihoods to vulnerable people. The
government continued implementing the programme in all the districts, with 26,832 learners maintained on functional
literacy in 2018. As indicated in table 5.8, 75 per cent of the learners on this programme were female and 25 per cent
were male during the period under review.
Table 5.8 Number of Community Skills Development programme beneficiaries by province
Province Female Male Total % of women

Central 2,713 999 3,712 10
Copperbelt 1,606 489 2,095 6
Eastern 1,000 631 1,631 4
Luapula 2,452 797 3,249 9
Lusaka 1,184 254 1,438 4
Muchinga 2,719 663 3,382 10
Northern 3,264 966 4,230 12
North Western 912 336 1,248 3
Southern 1,734 609 2,343 6
Western 2,488 1,016 3,504 9
National (Total) 20,072 6,760 26,832 75
Source: Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS). 2018. Annual Report.
Table 5.8 shows that in 2019, Northern province had the highest number of women accessing community skills training
at 3,254 (12 per cent of total beneficiaries), while North Western had the least at 912 (3.39 per cent). This could be
attributed to the low number of community skills development centres in North Western province.
The Government of Zambia runs Skills Training Centres in eight of the country’s 10 provinces; the two exceptions being
Muchinga and Lusaka. This skills training is an empowerment programme that provides the trainees with skills to make
them employable or to start their own business. They are offered livelihood skills training in general agriculture, home
management, power electrical, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and plastering, and tailoring.
In 2017, the Skills Training Centres had a total of 5,828 students, of which 2,469 were women and 3,359 were men. The
number of students in skills training programmes increased in 2018 to 9,090, of which 4,383 were women and 4,707 were
men. Female enrolment in 2018 was lower than male enrolment by 3.7 per cent. (See table 5.9).

Table 5.9 Number distribution of persons in skills training programmes by sex
Men Women
Year No. % No. % Total
2017 3,359 57.6 2,469 42.4 5,828
2018 4,707 51.8 4,383 48.2 9,090
Source: Ministry of Higher Education. 2017, 2018.
Access to livelihood skills training is disproportionate and remains low among women, despite the policy environment
aimed at promoting women’s participation. This raises concerns as to why uptake of such well-intentioned programmes
is low among women, compared to men, even though women are the majority in Zambia.

6
Education
and Training
6.1 Gross Enrolment Rates

Gross enrolment rate (GER) indicates the total enrolment of learners in a specific level regardless of age, in a particular
year, expressed as a percentage of the official school-age population for that level. GER is widely used to show the
general level of participation at each level of education. It also indicates the capacity of the education system to enrol
learners of an age group.
A negative gender gap value indicates that girls’ enrolment was lower than that of boys and vice versa. Ideally, the
gender gap is supposed to be zero; indicating that there are no enrolment inequalities between the sexes. In 2017, the
national GER for primary education enrolment was 90.3 per cent for girls and 93.4 per cent for boys, giving an absolute
gender gap of 3.1 percentage points; whereas the secondary enrolment gap was 3.1 and -1.7 percentage points in 2017
and 2018, respectively.
6.1.1 GER – Primary Education
Table 6.1 shows a shift in enrolment inequality: more boys than girls were enrolled in primary school in 2017, but more
girls than boys were enrolled in 2018. Note that in 2017, though, six of the 10 provinces had high enrolment rates for boys,
while the remaining four – Central, Luapula, Muchinga, and North Western – had notably high absolute gaps in favour of
boys. Copperbelt, Lusaka, Western, and Southern provinces had negative absolute gender gap values in the same year.
Table 6.1 Gross enrolment rates in primary education by province, 2017–2018
2017 2018
Boys Girls Absolute gap Boys Girls Absolute gap
(percentage (percentage
% % points) % % points)
National 93.4 90.3 3.1 101 104.1 -3.3
Central 126 112.5 13 130 131.8 -1.8
Copperbelt 79.5 84.8 -5.3 85.3 91.6 -6.3
Eastern 87.3 83 4.3 94.9 102.9 -8
Luapula 101 84.4 16.9 114 108.1 6
Lusaka 76.5 80.5 -4 71.6 76.6 -5
Muchinga 100 86.1 14.1 119 113.8 5.5
Northern 117 115 1.6 127 137.2 -10.1
North Western 89.8 72.6 17.2 109 105 4.2
Southern 110 110.5 -0.2 96.4 99.3 -2.9
Western 88.4 90.1 -1.7 117 123.2 -6.2
Source: Educational Statistical Bulletin. 2017, 2018.
6.1.2 GER – Secondary Education

Secondary school enrolment gaps mimic those at the primary level in the years under review. Although there were more
boys than girls enrolled in secondary school in 2017 (except in Copperbelt, which had more girls enrolled in both years),
2018 saw a shift that disproportionately disadvantaged boys. Northern province experienced the highest gender gap
shift, from 6.2 in 2017 to -17.7 per cent in 2018 – i.e. a 11.5 percentage point increase in favour of girls. (See table 6.2.)

Table 6.2 Gross enrolment rates in secondary education by province, 2017–2018
2017 2018
Boys Girls Gap Boys Girls Gap
(percentage (percentage
% % points) % % points)
National 48 44.9 3.1 44.1 45.8 -1.7
Central 58.9 55.3 3.6 54.6 54.9 -0.3
Copperbelt 59.3 61.1 -1.8 57.2 55.6 1.6
Eastern 38 35.4 2.6 30.3 32.4 -2.1
Luapula 49.4 41.3 8.1 40.3 44.1 -3.8
Lusaka 40 37.6 2.4 40.5 41.9 -1.4
Muchinga 41.4 33.7 7.7 32.2 34.6 -2.4
Northern 69.4 63.2 6.2 63.4 81.1 -17.7
North Western 35.5 28.9 6.6 30.3 33.5 -3.2
Southern 46 44.1 1.9 41.3 41.8 -0.5
Western 49.3 44.9 4.4 50.6 48.5 2.1
The primary and secondary school enrolment scenarios presented here indicate that while so much of the focus
has been on addressing girl-child enrolment, there needs to be a balance between the two sexes. If uncorrected, the
currently growing inequalities, with fewer boys enrolled in school, will lead to future human resource capital development
challenges and to the marginalisation of young men in the competition for economic opportunities with their female
counterparts.
6.2 Net Enrolment Rates
Net enrolment rate (NER) is the number of pupils – boys and girls – of an official age group in a specific education level
(in this case, primary and secondary education) enrolled in that level, expressed as a percentage of the corresponding
population. NER helps to account for all children’s education at a given age and school level; a NER below 100 per cent
indicates that not all children of that age group are in school. NER is an indication of the country’s progress towards
achieving universal access to education.40
Primary NER is the proportion – in percentage – of learners of primary-school-age (aged 7–13) who are enrolled in
primary school (grades 1–7) as a ratio to the total number of 7–13-year-olds in the total population. Secondary NER is
the percentage of secondary-aged learners (aged 14–18) who are enrolled in secondary school (grades 8–12) as a
proportion of the 14–18-year-olds in the population.
Figure 6.1 shows the NER for both primary and secondary school enrolments in the years 2017–2018. There is a decline
in NER, from 2017 to 2018, at both the primary school level – from 88.5 per cent to 81.4 per cent for boys and from 89.2
per cent to 85.8 per cent for girls – and the secondary school level – from 44.7 per cent to 21.4 per cent for boys and
from 41.1 per cent to 19 per cent for girls. Secondary school NER has the sharpest decline – almost less than half of
the pupils enrolled in 2017. Unlike in the case of primary education, where NER for girls is higher than boys, secondary
school enrolment at the right age is extremely low for girls compared to boys.
The perceived decline in secondary school enrolment compared to primary school enrolment could be an indication of
other underlying issues such as families aiming at giving their children just basic education, high dropout rates, and early
marriage, among others. Ultimately, the continued decline in already low net enrolment rates at all levels of education
in Zambia is a cause for concern; especially given that the country has policies and programmes – including feeding
programmes and cash transfer schemes for education – in place to ensure universal access to education. According
to SADC, as of 2017, Zambia was among the worst performing countries in the region in terms of secondary school net
enrolment, placing second from the bottom (among 16 countries) with a NER of 27.9 per cent, ahead only of Mozambique
(21.8 per cent).41
40
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). 2011. “International Standard Classification of Education”.
Available online: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/documents/UNESCO_GC_36C-19_ISCEDD_EN.pdf.
41
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2018. “SADC Selected Economic and Social Indicators”.

Figure 6.1 Net enrolment rates by sex and grade, 2017–2018
100
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
0
2017 2018 2017 2018
Grades 1-7 Grades 8-12
Male Female
Table 6.3 shows that the NER for girls was higher (85.8 per cent) than that for boys (81.4 per cent), implying that the
rate of enrolment of girls in the age group for primary education exceeded that of the rate of boys in 2018. The total NER
in 2018 was 83.6 per cent, while the Gender Parity Index (GPI) was 1.05. The NER reduced from 87.9 per cent in 2017
to 83.6 per cent in 2018, with a marginal increase in GPI. This reduction indicates that the country has not met the target
of a net enrolment rate of at least 95 per cent. However, it must be pointed out that primary school enrolment rates were
relatively high, with higher rates for girls than boys.
At the provincial level, the NER in 2018 ranged from 61.1 per cent in Lusaka to 109.2 per cent in Central province. Only
four out of the 10 provinces – Central, Western, Muchinga, and North Western – had a NER over 95 per cent in 2018,
indicating that there is need for the country to double its efforts to reach the 95 per cent target. The provinces closest to
achieving this target of universal primary education, with NERs consistently in the 95 to 103 per cent range between 2017
and 2018, are Central, Muchinga, North Western, and Western. Luapula and Northern provinces were in the 90–94 per
cent range in 2017, but have since dropped into the 85–88 per cent range in 2018.
Table 6.3 Primary net enrolment rates by province and sex, 2017–2018
2017 2018
Province Boys Girls Total GPI Boys Girls Total GPI
National 86.5 89.2 87.9 1.03 81.4 85.8 83.6 1.05
Central 112 109.3 110.6 0.98 107.8 110.7 109.2 1.03
Copperbelt 76.3 81.1 78.7 1.06 72.5 78.5 75.5 1.08
Eastern 78.5 87.2 82.9 1.11 69.7 79 74.3 1.13
Luapula 95.9 92.1 94 0.96 87.6 83.7 85.6 0.96
Lusaka 61.9 66.9 64.4 1.08 58.9 63.3 61.1 1.07
Muchinga 98.7 95 96.8 0.96 97.6 95.3 96.4 0.98
North western 102.6 106.6 104.6 1.04 100.6 116.3 108.3 1.16
Northern 94.7 91.3 93 0.96 89.1 87.2 88.1 0.98
Southern 84.3 89 86.6 1.06 75.2 79.7 77.4 1.06
Western 102.6 107.1 104.4 1.04 99.1 10.7 102.8 0.11
6.3 School Attendance Gender Parity Index

6.3.1 Net Enrolment and Gross Enrolment Rates
A look at the net enrolment and gross enrolment rates facilitates a clear understanding of whether children are
progressing in terms of their education according to the set official standards. As earlier defined, NER looks at age-
specific enrolments in each education level, while GER looks at enrolments regardless of whether a child is the right age

for that level. To further chart progress, the two indicators are considered together – if the gap between the GER and the
NER is big, it implies that enrolled learners do not progress regularly through the grades. It also means that the education
system’s internal efficiency needs to be improved. A GPI for NER that is higher than the GPI for GER further indicates and
a greater proportion of girls compared to boys are in the correct age range.
In 2017 and 2018, more boys than girls were in the right grade at the right age in primary school. Similarly, the GPI for
the NER was lower than the GPI for the GER in both 2017 and 2018 , meaning that a greater proportion of boys compared
to girls are in the correct school-age range. This difference suggests that there could be reasons affecting the girl child’s
ability to be in the correct school at the right age.
Table 6.4 Net enrolment and gross enrolment rates
Net enrolment rate (NER) Gross enrolment rate (GER)

Boys Girls GPI Boys Girls GPI
2017 88.5 89.2 1.01 93.4 90.3 0.97
Grades 1-7
2018 81.4 85.8 1.05 101 104.1 1.03
2017 44.7 41.1 0.92 48 44.9 0.94
Grades 8-12
2018 21.4 19 0.89 44.1 45.8 1.04
6.3.2 Dropout Rates

The dropout rate indicates the proportion of pupils who leave school without completing a given grade in a school
year. Table 6.5 shows that the national dropout rate for primary education (grades 1–7) increased from 1.5 per cent in
2017 to 1.7 per cent in 2018. The dropout rate in primary schools was higher among girls than boys for both years. This
indicates that although the enrolment of girls seems to be increasing, at some point these girls are leaving school before
completion. This scenario also partly explains why progression to the next level of education for girls is higher (see figure
6.2). The primary school dropout rate has increased since the last Gender Status Report in 2016, from 1.5 per cent to 1.7
per cent, while the secondary school dropout rate has remained the same at 1.2 per cent.42
Table 6.5 Primary and secondary school dropout rates by sex
2017 2018
Grades 1-7 Boys 1.3 1.4
Girls 1.7 1.9
Total 1.5 1.7
Grades 8-12 Boys 0.6 0.7
Girls 1.5 1.7
Total 1.0 1.2
6.3.3 Transition Rates

Transition rate is the number of pupils (or students) admitted to the first grade of a higher level of education each year,
expressed as a percentage of the number of pupils (or students) enrolled in the final grade of the lower level of education
in the previous year. The indicator conveys information on the degree of access or transition from one cycle or level of
education to a higher one. When viewed from the lower cycle or level of education, it is considered as an output indicator;
viewed from the higher education cycle or level, it constitutes an indicator of access. It can also help in assessing the
relative selectivity of an education system, which can be due to pedagogical or financial requirements.43
The proportion of girls and boys who completed primary education (grade 7) and progressed to lower secondary
education (grade 8) increased from 67.5 per cent in 2017 to 69.1 per cent in 2018. Also, transition to lower secondary
education for boys in 2017 and 2018 was lower than that for girls, as shown in figure 6.2. It is worth noting that transition
rates for both boys and girls increased during the reporting period, from 66.1 per cent in 2017 to 68.2 per cent in 2018
for boys and 69 per cent in 2017 to 70 per cent in 2018 for girls. Overall, the transition from grades 7 to 8 was higher for
girls than boys in both years. Similarly, the transition from grades 9 to 10 was higher for girls than boys during the same
period. Given the marginal increase in primary completion and transition rates, a slightly higher proportion of children
are participating in lower secondary education, which explains the stagnant gross enrolment rates in lower secondary.
42
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) and Ministry of Gender. 2017. Gender Status Report, 2015–2016.
43
United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). 2009. Education Indicators: Technical Guidelines, November 2009.

Figure 6.2 Percentage distribution of transition rates by sex, 2017–2018
80
70
60
50
Percentage
40
30
20
10
0
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Grades 7-8 Grades 9-10
2017 2018
6.3.4 Re-admission of Girls into School After Pregnancy

The National Education Policy of 1996, Educating Our Future, recognises gender equality as a critical factor in education
and aims at providing equal access to education for all. In line with this, the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational
Training, and Early Education has implemented policies such as the Re-Entry Policy, which are part of a wider strategy
aimed at improving access and retention of girls in schools. This policy provides for girls who drop out of school due to
pregnancy to be re-admitted after giving birth.
Although there is a policy framework that allows for girls to come back to school after maternity leave, re-admission
rates remain low, as seen in figure 6.3. Out of the 10,684 girls in primary schools who got pregnant in 2017, only half
(5,527) were re-admitted, representing 51.7 per cent. It must be highlighted that despite the increase in the number of
pregnancies at the primary school level – from 10,684 girls in 2017 to 11,453 girls in 2018 – the number of re-admissions
reduced from 5,527 to 4,917 girls over the same period. At the secondary school level, the number of pregnancies
increased from 2,956 girls in 2017 to 3,576 girls in 2018, while the number of re-admissions also increased from 2,052
girls in 2017 to 2,488 girls in 2018.
It must be pointed out that there has been a reduction, by 312 (2.7 per cent), in the number of pregnancies at primary
schools since the previous Gender Status Report of 2016. In contrast, pregnancies among secondary school learners
have increased, by 123 (3.6 per cent), since the previous report.44
Figure 6.3 Number of pregnancies and re-admissions by grade groups, 2018–2019
2017 2018 2017 2018

Primary Secondary
Pregnancies 10,684 11,453 2,956 3,576
Re-admissions 5,527 4,917 2,052 2,488
Figures 6.4 and 6.5 show the number of pregnancies and re-admissions at the primary and secondary education levels,
respectively, by residence (rural/urban). While primary education pregnancies in rural areas increased by 6.1 per cent
from 2017 to 2018, re-admissions decreased by the same margin. A similar pattern is observed in urban areas, where
primary school pregnancies increased by 14.6 per cent, yet re-admissions decreased by about 4 per cent. In contrast,
the re-admission rate was higher in rural areas than urban areas for secondary education.
44

The results in figure 6.4 could be due to challenges with implementing the re-admission policy or due to girls not being
able to return to school for other reasons. Be as it may, the results suggest that girls who become pregnant at primary
school level are potentially at higher risk of dropping out of school; a situation which may have the effect of widening and
extending inequality gaps in other sectors of development in the present and in the future.
Figure 6.4 Number of pregnancies and re-admissions in primary schools by residence, 2018–2019
12,000
9,891
10,000 9,321
8,000
6,000
4,836
4,281
4,000
2,000 1,363 1,562

691 636
0
2017 2018 2017 2018
Rural Urban
Pregnancies Re-admissions
Figure 6.5 Number of pregnancies and re-admissions in secondary schools by residence, 2018–2019
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
2017 2018 2017 2018
Rural Urban
Pregnancies Re-admissions
6.3.5 Completion Rates

Completion rate is the number of learners who have successfully completed a given grade (each year), expressed
as a percentage of the total number of learners of official school age for that grade. It measures both the coverage of
the education system and the educational attainment of learners. School completion rate is an important measure of the
retention capacity of an education system. In particular, ensuring that all boys and girls complete primary school is a
major target of SDG 4 (quality education). Completion rate is a more accurate indicator of human capital formation, as
well as the quality and efficiency of the school system, than gross enrolment and net enrolment ratios.
Table 6.6 shows completion rates for grades 7, 9, and 12 by sex. The completion rate for primary school (grade 7)
shows continuous improvement in the case of both girls and boys, whereas the completion rates for secondary school,
especially for final grade 12, are extremely low. As of 2018, the completion rates were 99.8 per cent for girls and 94.8
per cent for boys at grade 7, showing a desirable improvement since 2016 (when these rates were 93.7 per cent and
91.3 per cent for girls and boys respectively). Similarly, improvements have been noted for completion rates at grades 9
and 12 since the previous Gender Status Report – the completion rates rose from 64.2 per cent in 2016 to 77.3 per cent
in 2018 for girls, and from 69.4 per cent in 2016 to 76.6 per cent in 2018 for boys. However, though table 6.6 indicates

improvement from 2017 to 2018 at grade 12, a comparison with the base year (2016) shows that completion rates have
continued to decline significantly – specifically, girls’ completion rate declined from 68.3 per cent in 2016 to 31.9 per cent
in 2018, while that of boys declined by a marginal 1 per cent, from 41.4 per cent to 40.4 per cent in the same period.
Table 6.6 Completion rates for grades 7, 9, and 12 by sex
Sex 2017 2018

Grade 7 Boys 93.45 94.8
Girls 90.30 99.8
All 91.82 97.3
Grade 9 Boys 73.6 76.6
Girls 69.7 77.3
All 71.7 77.0
Grade 12 Boys 34.2 40.4
Girls 29.8 31.6
All 31.8 36.0
In general, while improvements have been noted within grades from 2017 to 2018, there is a declining trend across
grades, as shown in figure 6.6. The decline suggests that children start out well at primary school, but then start to drop
out as they get to secondary school, with almost half of them failing to complete grade 12. This can be attributed to the
low transition rates at grade 10, as well as other social and economic factors affecting households.
Figure 6.6 Trend in completion rates in 2018
99.8%
94.8% 97.3%
77.3%
76.6% 77.0%
40.4%
36.0%
31.6%
Boys Girls All
Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 12

7
Health,
and HIV and AIDS
Good health is essential to development. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and SDG 3 (good health and
well-being) emphasise the importance and need for women and children to access quality and affordable healthcare.
The BDPfA notes that women should have decision-making powers in matters concerning their health. Therefore, the
Government of Zambia has established policies to promote good health among its citizens.45 Policies and strategies
that address the unique challenges faced by women, adolescent girls, and children, in particular, have been adopted.
However, despite the progress made towards increasing access to healthcare, women, children, and adolescents
continue to face health challenges, especially with regard to nutrition, reproductive health, HIV and access to HIV
treatment, and infant mortality, to mention but a few aspects.
This section presents select health issues affecting women, men, and children such as infant mortality, maternal
mortality, access to reproductive health services, life expectancy at birth, and health insurance, among others.
7.1 Health Insurance (Private and Government)
There are various health insurance schemes in Zambia, such as social security, employer-based health insurance,
mutual health organisation/community-based insurance, and privately purchased commercial insurance. However,
according to the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey,46 health insurance coverage remains very low in the country,
with only 2.1 per cent of women and 3.1 per cent of men accessing any type of health insurance. Most of those with
health insurance are covered by their employers (1.4 per cent of women and 2.2 per cent of men).47 Additionally, there
are gender gaps by region, with those in rural areas having almost no access at all to health insurance, as indicated in
table 7.1 below.
Table 7.1 Any health insurance coverage by region and sex, 2018
Geographical location/sex Men Women

Rural 0.6% 0.4%
Urban 5.7% 3.9%
To ensure inclusive coverage, the government introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) under Act No. 2 of
2018, which provides improved financing to the national health system. It is aimed at providing universal access to quality
insured healthcare services. However, access to the NHIS requires registration and minimal monthly contribution to the
scheme through the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA).
7.2 Key Health Issues
7.2.1 Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Zambia’s Seventh National Development Plan, as well as SDG 5 (gender equality) and the SADC Protocol on Gender
and Development, all indicate the importance of enhancing women and youths’ access to sexual and reproductive
health services (SRHS); setting a target of universal access by 2030. According to Zambia Vision 2030, all women,
and especially youths of reproductive age, must have non-discriminatory access to reproductive healthcare services,
including family planning, and reproductive health information and education. This has led to the integration of sexual and
reproductive health into national and partner-supported strategies and programmes such as the DREAMS (Determined,
Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe) programme focusing on adolescents, the integration of youth-
friendly corners in all health facilities, as well as the scaling up of family planning, and maternal and child health services
for all.48
45
Ministry of National Development Planning (Zambia). 2017. Seventh National Development Plan 2017–2021. Lusaka.
46
47
48
Ministry of Health (Zambia). 2017. Reproductive Health Services Strategy 2017–2022.

For sexual and reproductive health to be attained and maintained, the sexual and reproductive health rights of all
persons must be respected, protected, and fulfilled, implying that the government must ensure the availability of relevant
information and services to the populations of interest. This sub-section, therefore, discusses progress made in increasing
SRHS for women and adolescents in Zambia. Key themes of discussion include: access to and use of family planning,
teenage pregnancies, and access to information on SRHS.
7.2.1.1 Access to Family Planning
Ensuring access for all people to their preferred family planning methods advances several human rights including
the right to life and liberty, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to work and education, while bringing
significant health and other benefits. Use of contraception prevents pregnancy-related health risks for women, especially
for adolescent girls, that are likely when births are separated by less than two years. Couples can use contraceptive
methods to limit or space the number of children they have. In particular, women have the right to decide the number of
children they want if they chose to have children.
Figure 7.1 indicates that 69 per cent of women of reproductive age in Zambia demanded family planning methods in
2018, but only 36.7 per cent had access.
Figure 7.1 Percentage of demand for family planning among women aged 15–49 years, 2018
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Demand Use Unmet need
There are observed inequalities in contraceptive use in Zambia, as indicated in figure 7.2. Use of contraceptives is
highest among married women at 51.7 per cent and lowest among adolescents at 12.1 per cent. While urban women
seem to have easy access to contraceptives, rural women face challenges like long distances to health facilities as well
as traditional and cultural barriers. Although almost all the men and women in Zambia have received information on family
planning and contraceptives, unmet need is still high.
It is imperative to continue efforts to bridge the gaps in access and use of family planning, particularly because it is a
strong conduit for reducing maternal mortality locally and regionally. According to SADC, family planning services have
the potential to reduce the maternal mortality rate by almost 30 per cent.52
49
Article 1(b) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.
50
Ministry of Health (Zambia). 2013, 2017. Strategy for Scaling Up Family Planning.
51
52
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2008. Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy for the SADC Region.

Figure 7.2 Percentage distribution of family planning usage among women by residence, 2018
60
50
40
30
20
10
All Urban Rural
Married women Sexually active women Adolescents
7.2.2 Access to Reproductive Health Services Among Adolescents

While information on SRHS is readily available among adolescents (98.1 per cent of girls and 96.1 per cent of boys),
access to family planning methods/services like contraceptives remains significantly low (at 12 per cent) compared to
the adult population (as shown in figure 7.3). It suffices to note that only about 38 per cent of married adolescents used
any form of family planning in 2018. This was the case despite all the targeted SRHS-related policies and programmes
for adolescents. Strengthening linkages and creating conducive environments for adolescents to access SRHS is critical
for Zambia. Young people are highly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and cross-generational sex, which makes it difficult
for young girls to negotiate for safer sex with their older boyfriends. Additionally, adolescents are prone to other physical
vulnerabilities that make them more susceptible to maternal mortality and increased infant mortality too. Furthermore,
SRHS for adolescents are critically necessary for reducing unwanted pregnancies and pregnancy-related school dropout.
As implied, SRHS for adolescents are key for empowering young girls; for allowing them to enjoy healthy lives, complete
their education, and eventually participate effectively in national development.
Figure 7.3 Percentage distribution of family planning access among women, 2018
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
All Unmarried Married
Demand Use Unmet need
53
54

7.2.2.1 Teenage Pregnancies
Figure 7.4 shows that about 29.2 per cent of adolescent girls in Zambia had begun childbearing and 24.1 per cent had
given birth, while 5.1 per cent were pregnant with their first child, in 2018.
Figure 7.4 Percentage distribution of teenage pregnancies, 2018
29.2
24.1
5.1
Have had a live birth Pregnant with first child Have begun childbearing
The percentage of teenagers who began childbearing was higher in rural areas (37 per cent) than in urban areas (19
per cent), as seen in figure 7.5. Rural teenage pregnancies have increased by 1 per cent (from 38 per cent to 37 per
cent), while urban teenage pregnancies have reduced by the same margin (from 20 per cent to 19 per cent), since
2014.55 Teenage pregnancy disadvantages girls residing in most rural settings. It undermines girls’ human rights and
compromises their opportunity to fully realise their socio-economic development potential. Teenagers who have early
exposure to sexual intercourse are at high risk of pregnancy and childbearing.
Overall, given the fact that Zambia has a legal framework and strategy for scaling up SRHS that includes adolescents,
the high teenage pregnancies noted could, thus, indicate the absence, inaccessibility, or inefficiency of adolescent-
friendly and responsive family planning services in both urban and rural areas. According to the 2018 ZDHS, women in
Zambia are still getting married at very young ages. It is evident that a good number of girls (9.1 per cent) get married at
age 15. This shows that girls are still being deprived of their reproductive health rights, and it impinges on their opportunity
to realise their full potential and enjoy their human rights.
Figure 7.5 Percentage distribution of teenage pregnancies by residence, 2018
37
29.2
19
Total Rural Urban
7.3 HIV and AIDS

Zambia is committed to achieving the 90-90-90 target for HIV prevention set by the Joint United Nations Programme on
HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), as well as to adhering to the SADC protocol on health aimed at ensuring that women and girls have
access to HIV services, as they are often the most vulnerable to contracting HIV.56 The country’s HIV prevalence is at 11.1
55
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) and Ministry of Gender. 2017. Genders Status Report 2015–2016.
56
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2018. SADC Gender Protocol 2018 Barometer.

per cent (with 1.2 million people living with HIV) among the population aged 15–4957 – less than 12.3 per cent in 2016,58
and also lower than the estimated SADC average of 38 per cent.59
The HIV epidemic in Zambia has continued to have a female face. HIV prevalence among women aged 15–49 is 14.2
per cent, compared to 7.5 per cent among men in the same age range and 8.8 per cent among young people aged
15–24.60
Figure 7.6 HIV prevalence among adults (aged 15–49) by sex, 2018
16
14
12
10
Percentage
Male Female Total
The ZDHS report61 indicates that there are regional variations with regard to HIV among persons aged 15–49. Copperbelt
has the highest HIV prevalence at 15.4 per cent, followed by Lusaka (15.1 per cent), then Central and Southern (both 12.4
per cent), Western (10.6 per cent), Eastern (7.4 per cent), and Northern (5.6 per cent). Prevalence in Muchinga and North
Western is estimated to be 5.4 per cent and 6.1 per cent, respectively.
The high levels of HIV prevalence among women and young people below the age of 25, as well as variations by
region, depict profound differences in underlying causes. These differences reflect sexual behaviour, social attitudes,
and pressure (peer pressure or other), but mainly economic and social power dynamics that render women and young
people more vulnerable to contracting HIV. Thus, in addition to the already existing policy and programme frameworks
available in Zambia, it is critical for everyone to understand the socially constructed relations between men and women
that, to a large extent, underpin the individual behaviour that presents a higher risk of HIV to one sex over the other or one
age group over another. Only when gender inequalities are addressed will the fight against HIV be won.
7.4 Other Health Issues
7.4.1 Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality rate (MMR) is a key indicator of the socio-economic status of any given country. It is the number of
deaths per 100,000 women including women who died when pregnant, during delivery, or within 42 days of delivery or
the termination of a pregnancy, except when death was due to an accident or violence.
In Zambia, maternal mortality is one of the contributing factors to mortality. It accounts for 10 per cent of women’s deaths
in the country.62 As a result, the Government of Zambia, through the Seventh National Development Plan 2017–2021 and
the National Health Strategic Plan 2017–2021, is committed to improving maternal health services, with emphasis on
increasing the proportion of live births attended by skilled providers, understanding where pregnancy complications
occur, and enhancing access to emergency obstetric care services.63 This commitment is in tandem with target 3.1 of
the SDGs, which aims at reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.64 It also aligns
with the SADC strategic plan for increasing access to SRHS in SADC member countries to ensure no woman dies during
pregnancy, and during and after delivery.65
57
58
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). 2016. ZaPHIA Survey.
59
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). 2019. Communities at the Centre: Defending Rights, Breaking Barriers, Reaching People with HIV Services.
60
61
62
63
Ministry of National Development Planning (Zambia). 2017. Seventh National Development Plan; Ministry of Health (Zambia). 2017. National Health Strategic Plan.
64
World Health Organisation (WHO). n.d. Available online: www.who.int/sdg/target/en
65
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2018. Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the SADC Region, 2019–2030.

A similar indicator to maternal mortality is the pregnancy-related mortality rate (PRMR), which includes women who died
when pregnant, during delivery, or within two months of delivery or the termination of a pregnancy. This indicator includes
deaths due to an accident or violence.
The 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey found that the maternal mortality rate is at 252 maternal deaths per
100,000 live births, while PRMR is at 278 deaths. This falls short of reaching the national and global targets of reducing
MMR to at least 100 deaths per 1,000 live births and 70 per 100,000 live births respectively.66 Furthermore, the current
MMR is higher by almost 50 per cent than in 2016, when it had reduced from 180 to 111 deaths per 100,000 live births.67
With all the government policies and interventions that are in place, the expectation is that PRMR and MMR would
be declining in Zambia. The continued rise instead of MMR suggests that there are some gender dynamics at play
that cannot be ignored. These dynamics include gendered power relations, which have a significant effect on maternal
healthcare access and utilisation, and relate, among other things, to access to resources; women’s workload during and
after pregnancy; low levels or lack of support from a spouse, especially with regard to child preparedness and health
education during antenatal clinics; social norms and perceptions of women’s attitudes and behaviour during pregnancy;
and attitudes towards domestic violence.
7.4.2 Infant Mortality
Infant mortality is the death of a baby before s/he reaches her or his first birthday, or rather the probability of dying
between birth and the first birthday. Infant mortality is a critical indicator that informs on existing gender inequalities
among women by age, level of education, and geographical location, as well as access to SRHS. According to the United
States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is also an essential marker of the general health of a
population.68 Target 3.2 of the SDGs aims at ending preventable deaths of new-borns and children less than five years
of age.
In Zambia, infant mortality has reduced, since 2016, from 73.3 deaths per 1,000 live births to 42 deaths per 1,000 live
births in 2018. Infant mortality is higher among male children at 48 deaths per 1,000 children as compared to female
children at 36 deaths per 1,000 children (see figure 7.7). Also, infant mortality is higher among women in urban areas as
compared to women in rural areas (see figure 7.8).
Figure 7.7 Infant mortality per 1,000 among male and female children, 2018
48
42
36
Male children Female children Total
Male children Female children Total
66
Ministry of Health (Zambia). 2016. Strategic Plan 2017–2021; United Nations (UN). 2016. “Final List of Proposed SDGs”.
67
68
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). n.d. “Reproductive Health: Infant Mortality”. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov

Figure 7.8 Infant mortality per 1,000 by residence
44
42
41
Urban Rural Total
Mortality
Infant mortality has declined since the previous Gender Status Report, but remains high, especially among adolescent
mothers (58 deaths per 1,000 live births). Overall, child mortality (which includes neonatal and under-five deaths) stands
at 69 per cent,69 which means that 69 per cent of children in Zambia are dying before their fifth birthday. These high rates
imply that although some maternal and child healthcare interventions seem to have been successful, there are other
significant inequalities affecting efforts to reduce and possibly end infant and child mortality in Zambia. These inequalities
relate to differing access to safe drinking water and sanitation, lack of or low education among women of reproductive
age, and low access to and use of family planning and other sexual and reproductive health services (resulting in high
teenage pregnancies and poor child spacing).
However, an infant mortality rate of 86 deaths per 1,000 live births and a child mortality rate of 116 deaths per 1,000
live births were recorded among women whose previous birth interval was less than two years, which increases the risk
of infant and child mortality. For example, the highest infant mortality rate is in Luapula (110 deaths per 1,000 births) – a
province with the highest fertility rate, low levels of women’s empowerment, and low literacy levels among women.70
Also, ZamStats notes that during the 2018 ZDHS, infant and child mortality rates reduced with the level of education and
age of the mother. There were 69 deaths per 1,000 live births among mothers with no education, 66 deaths per 1,000 live
births among those with primary education, 62 deaths per 1,000 live births among those with secondary education, and
47 deaths per 1,000 live births among those with higher education.71
69
70
71

8
Access
to Productive (Economic) Resources and Employment
It is important for economic growth that people have access to productive resources and employment; and that there are
other enabling mechanisms in the environment, allowing them to have income to support themselves and their families.
This section presents information on select key labour market indicators, namely employment, labour force participation,
occupation, sector of employment, type of employment, economically inactive persons, and unemployment. The section
also gives a perspective on gender-responsive budgeting, focusing on the country’s current status in this regard, while
highlighting the importance of gender-responsive budgeting in enhancing women’s economic empowerment and
participation in the labour market.
Indicators presented in this section are in line with SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic
growth; full and productive employment; and decent work for all. Furthermore, evidence-based policy-making relies on
identifying and quantifying best practices and inefficiencies in the labour market – such as labour underutilisation and
decent work deficits. It is the first step in designing employment policies aimed at enhancing the well-being of workers, while
also promoting economic growth. This broad view of the world of work calls for comprehensive collection, organisation, and
analysis of labour market information, disaggregated by socio-demographic characteristics and regions.
8.1 Gender-Responsive Budgeting
The impact of macroeconomic policies on gender equality through markets and state interventions that distribute
key economic and financial resources cannot be overemphasised.72 However, gender equality perspectives have been
largely ignored in the formulation and distribution of national financial resources. In Zambia, fiscal policies in support
of gender mainstreaming require additional attention. In 2018, public funding for gender mainstreaming activities was
reduced to 24 per cent from 45 per cent in the previous year.73
A country’s macroeconomic policies must consider the distributional consequences of economic growth strategies;
including monetary, investment, and other labour market policies and the specific restrictions they may present for
women’s economic empowerment, including the unequal gender distribution of paid and unpaid work.74 They must
also factor in the implications for access to economic resources and opportunities. It must be understood that existing
fiscal policies almost always have gender-differentiated impacts through the labour market. For instance, tax systems
can create and perpetuate gender inequalities through influencing the allocation of time to formal, informal, and unpaid
work. Also, deregulated financial markets and high borrowing rates not only affect supply of credit but also make it
hard for other economic actors with limited capacity, particularly women in agriculture and small- and medium-scale
entrepreneurs, to borrow.
Therefore, it becomes imperative that national budgeting processes consider all these differentials and take a gender-
responsive approach, to ensure that economic growth is not hampered by widening inequalities. In other words, the
national budget is an essential mechanism for the government to ensure women benefit from public-sector expenditures.
Gender-responsive budgeting has the potential to promote change in budget policies, allocations, and outcomes to
ensure that resources are allocated to the implementation of commitments on gender equality and equity.75
8.2 Select Labour Market Indicators
8.2.1 Labour Force
Labour force refers to all persons aged 15 or older who are either employed or unemployed at the time of the survey.
Overall, the labour force increased from 3,398,294 in 2017 to 3,423,486 in 2019. However, there are more males in the
labour force despite the total working age population being dominated by females in the three-year period from 2017
to 2019.
72
Article 15 of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development.
Ministry of Gender (Zambia). 2019. “Data Collection Tool for the Monitoring of the SADC Gender Protocol”, submitted to SADC for the 2018 SADC Gender and
73
Development Monitor.
74
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). 2009. Women’s Control over Economic Resources and Access to Financial Resources,
Including Micro-finance.
75
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). 2009. 2009 World Survey on the Role of Women in Development.

Table 8.1 Number distribution of the labour force by sex, 2017–2019
Year Both sexes Males Females

2017 3,398,294 2,041,306 1,356,988
2018 3,329,147 2,040,650 1,288,498
2019 3,423,486 2,059,965 1,363,521
Source: Ministry of Labour and Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). 2019. Zambia Labour Force Survey.
8.2.2 Labour Force Participation Rate

The labour force participation rate is a measure of the proportion of a country’s working-age population that engages
actively in the labour market, either by working or looking for work. It provides an indication of the relative size of the
supply of labour available to engage in the production of goods and services. Equal participation in the labour market
is not about equality, rather it is a desirable aspect of economics because it presents gains in economic growth,
especially given that most of the productive population in Zambia is comprised of women. However, equal participation
is also hindered by low education among women, limiting their participation to low or unpaid work.
The labour force participation rate has been declining since the previous Gender Status Report, decreasing from
77.7 per cent in 2016 to 35.3 per cent in 2019, with higher participation by men (44.8 per cent) than by women (26.7
per cent). This is an indication that there is a lower supply of labour among women engaged in the production of goods
and services than there is among men. Figure 8.1 shows participation in the labour market by sex over the three years
under review (2017, 2018, and 2019).
Figure 8.1 Labour force participation rate by sex, 2017–2019
50
45
40
35
30
Percentage
25
20
15
10
2017 2018 2019
Both sexes Males Females
8.3 Employment
Effective employment and labour market institutions and policies are critical for creating productive and sustainable
jobs. Notwithstanding, it is also important to have in place sector skills and education policies that support structural
transformation, eventually translating into equal participation in the labour market of both men and women as well as
the youth. Note that well-designed and effective employment policies contribute to the achievement of the national
development agenda and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, as well as SDGs 3 (good health and well-
being), 4 (quality education), and 6 (clean water and sanitation) – and especially, SDG 8, which specifically aims to
promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.
8.3.1 Employed Population
Employed population is the total number of persons who have a paid job in cash or in kind, regardless of whether
they are on leave, absent, or suspended; in self-employment; or contributing to family work.

In the period under review, the employed population increased from 2,971,170 in 2017 to 2,995,103 in 2019. As
expected, (given the trend in labour force participation), there were more men than women employed (see table 8.2).
Furthermore, fewer women were engaged in paid productive activities. The latter is a general observation among all
SADC member countries and across the globe.76
Table 8.2 Number distribution of employed persons by sex, 2017–2019
Year Both sexes Males Females

2017 2,971,170 1,797,957 1,173,213
2018 2,948,971 1,826,418 1,122,553
2019 2,995,103 1,811,243 1,183,860
Source: Ministry of Labour and ZamStats, 2019. Zambia Labour Force Survey.
8.3.2 Employment-to-Population Ratio

The employment-to-population ratio provides information on the ability of an economy to create employment. A high
employment-to-population ratio leads to economic growth and improved quality of life and well-being as a benefit of
economic development. It may also lead to a reduction in poverty-related crimes.
The employment-to-population ratio was 32.8 per cent in 2017 and declined to 30.9 per cent in 2019. A performance
comparison with the previous Gender Status Report shows that the employment-to-population ratio has significantly
reduced by 41 percentage points (from 71.1 per cent in 2016 to 30.9 per cent in 2019). The ratio has proportionately
reduced between sexes too; from 73.1 per cent in 2016 to 23.2 per cent in 2019 for women and from 70.6 per cent in
2016 to 39.4 per cent in 2019 for men. It must be noted that there has been greater absorption of men than women in
this reporting period. This could be because of continued bias or stereotyping of women in the labour market. It could
also be a manifestation of other gender inequality and equity issues requiring urgent address. Globally, regionally,
and locally, there is a demand to ensure 50/50 participation of women and men in labour markets. To achieve this, it is
necessary to ensure that women and men’s contributions to economic growth are considered equal and complimentary
at the same time and that the environment is set up to allow equity (guaranteeing full participation of both sexes by
addressing differences in the needs of men and women in a work environment).
Figure 8.2 Employment-to-population ratio by sex, 2017–2019
41.7%
40.4%
39.4%
32.8%
31.1% 30.9%
24.7%
22.6% 23.2%
2017 2018 2019
Both sexes Male Female
8.4 Employment by Occupation

Occupation is a person’s principal task or job in his/her workplace. Women are often considered for low-earning
positions in Zambia, as is the case in many other countries. This trend keeps women perpetually in social and economic
positions of disadvantage, as their incomes might not allow them to make significant investments while at the same
time meeting personal and household needs.
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2016. SADC Gender and Development Monitor 2016; International Labour Organisation (ILO). n.d. “Measuring
76
Decent work in Zambia”.

In 2019, there was a higher percentage of women employed as service and sales workers at 57.3 per cent. Across
all occupations, the percentage of employed men is higher than that of women (see figure 8.3).
Figure 8.3 Percentage distribution of employed persons by occupation and sex, 2019
Services and Sales Workers
Professionals
Other Occupations
Skilled Agricultural Forestry and Fishery Workers
Clerical Support Workers
Elementary Occupation
Managers
Technicians and Associate Professionals
Craft and Related Trade Workers
Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Male Female
8.5 Employment in Select Industries

Women’s representation in certain industries, such as mining; water, sanitation, and waste management; construction;
the media; manufacturing; professional, scientific, and technical services; and energy, remains extremely low. The
highest percentage of women (61 per cent) is employed in household activities, compared to men at 39 per cent. (See
appendix 5 for further details.) Note that only those engaged in technical work are represented in this section.
8.5.1 Construction
The construction industry in Zambia has contributed to improving the state of infrastructure in the country. The
industry has also employed a good number of women and men. Construction of roads, the Pave Zambia 2000 project,
and construction of office blocks and housing units in new districts are among the various construction projects that
the government has engaged in.
The National Council for Construction (NCC) – a statutory body formed under the National Council for Construction
Act of 2003 – came into operation to, among other things, provide information on people employed in the construction
industry. This information is collected by the NCC through quarterly inspection forms administered to select companies
registered with the Council.
The construction sector in Zambia is a male-dominated industry. There is only about one woman for every five men
in this sector. There are several factors that explain this enormous gender gap, ranging from unconscious gender bias
to lack of adequate training to overall perceptions of women working in construction – traditionally a male-dominated
career.
Figure 8.4 shows that as at 2018, there were 27,488 men as compared to only 1,211 women working in the construction
sector. In 2019, the number of men (18,031) working in this sector remained more than that of women (944).

Figure 8.4 Employment in the construction sector by sex, 2018–2019
Note: the population recruited in the sector
95.8% reduced from 28,699 in 2018 to 18,977 in 2019.
95%
4.2% 4.9%
2018 2019
Men Women
Source: Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development, 2018–2019.
8.5.2 Mining and Quarrying

Figure 8.5 shows participation in the mining sector. Some of the significant gender inequality issues can be traced
back to education and stereotyping of women in Zambia. Like the construction and energy sectors, the mining sector is
still considered a man’s sector by society, including women. According to SADC, there are considerable environmental
and economic benefits in championing women’s participation in the mining sector.77
Figure 8.5 Employment in the mining and quarrying sector by sex, 2019
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
Men Women
8.5.3 Energy
Like in any other traditionally male-dominated sector, women employed in the energy sector constituted 32.9 per
cent of the workforce, compared to 67.1 per cent men, as shown in figure 8.6. This indicates good progress towards
gender mainstreaming in the sector, although more support to women hires is still necessary to reach the 50/50
recruitment policy target.
77
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2016. SADC Gender and Development Monitor 2016

Figure 8.6 Employment in the energy sector by sex, 2019
80
70
60
50
Percentage
40
30
20
10
Men Women
8.5.4 Environment – Water, Sanitation, and Solid Waste Management

The Beijing Declaration stipulates the need for an integrated approach to the management of water resources.
Despite Zambia having ratified the declaration, and notwithstanding the critical role of water and the competing needs
of men and women for the resource, the country still lags in including women in water resources, sanitation, and waste
management roles.
8.5.4.1 National-Level Recruitment of Women in Technical and Senior Decision-Making Roles
Women comprise 4.2 per cent of those employed in the water, sanitation, and waste management sector, with men
accounting for 95.8 per cent (see figure 8.7) – far below the desired recruitment threshold of 50/50. This disproportionate
representation of women is detrimental to all progress towards improving economic development anchored in inclusive
participation. Men and women attach different values to water, sanitation, and hygiene; and hence, equal participation
in this sector is important for promoting a balanced approach to the design of programmes and infrastructure, as well
as sustainable and impactful implementation and public health benefits.
Figure 8.7 Employment in the water, sanitation, and waste management sector by sex, 2019
120
100
80
Percentage
60
40
20
Men Women
8.5.4.2 Women’s Participation at the Community Level

Women’s participation in water resources management at the community level is still low. However, the Ministry
of Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection is taking deliberate measures to ensure that women are actively
involved in the management committees of various environmental and water initiatives, such as the Lake Tanganyika
Development Project in Northern province and the Transforming Rural Livelihoods in Western Zambia Project. Figure
8.8 shows women’s participation in water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental management in Northern and
Western provinces in 2017–2019.

Figure 8.8 Percentage distribution of women’s participation in water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental management
– Northern and Western provinces, 2017–2019
90
Percentage of women
80 Percentage of men
70
60
50
Percentage
40
30
20
10
Village Conservation and Community Forestry Village WASHE Area Pump Minders
Management Committees Management Group Committees in Western recruited and trained
(VCDCs) (Northern Committees (Northern province (Western province)
province) province)
Area of engagement
8.5.5 Transport and Storage

There is an urgent need to address existing inequality in the transport and storage sector in Zambia, for the realisation
of equal employment. According to the European Union (EU), women shun the transport sector because of the deep-
rooted gender biases, the harsh conditions that do not consider the specific needs of women transporters, as well
as the exploitation and harassment in the sector, which is seen as an area of work for men. Figure 8.9 shows the
percentage of women employed in the transport and storage sector in Zambia by 2019.
Figure 8.9 Percentage of employment in the transport and storage sector by sex, 2019
100
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
Men Women
8.5.6 Manufacturing
Employment in the manufacturing industry is similarly biased towards men. Apart from the other gender issues
highlighted in the preceding sub-sections, the low levels or lack of training among women is another major contributing
factor for this situation.

Figure 8.10 Percentage distribution of men and women employed in manufacturing, 2019
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Men Women
As observed earlier, despite the industries discussed here being critical to national development – and also being
among the well-paying industries in Zambia – women’s recruitment in them is very low. This means that not only are
women excluded from high-paying job opportunities, but also decisions made in these sectors will predominately
represent the views of men, who to a larger extent may be blind to the inclusive needs of the whole population.
Addressing this glaring exclusion of women, who by nature are more empathetic and care-givers, and have a more
holistic approach towards ensuring that development and its associated benefits trickle down to all citizens, will help
determine whether gender equality and equity are realised in Zambia’s economic development.
8.6 Sector Employment – Formal, Informal, and Household Sectors
The formal sector refers to all production units that are registered with a tax and/or licensing authority. Examples of
tax and licensing authorities in Zambia are the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), Patents and Companies Registration
Agency (PACRA), and Local Authority, among others. The informal sector refers to all production units that are not
registered with a tax or licensing authority, while the household sector refers to all households as producers of goods
and services. Formal employment is associated with higher social security.
Figure 8.11 shows the percentage distribution of employed persons by sector and sex. In 2019, there were slightly
more women (50.6 per cent) than men (49.4 per cent) employed in the household sector. Furthermore, men were more
likely to be employed in the formal and informal sectors than women. Note that the household sector category in this
report excludes unpaid work; it only includes those doing paid housework like gardeners and house helpers.
Figure 8.11 Percentage distribution of employed persons by sector of employment and sex, 2019
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Formal sector Informal sector Household sector
Males Females

Employed men account for 69.7 per cent of the formal sector, 60.8 per cent of the informal sector, and 49.4 per cent
of the household sector, as compared to employed women, who account for 30.3 per cent, 39.2 per cent, and 50.6 per
cent of the formal, informal, and household sectors, respectively. In Zambia, social security cover tends to focus more
on those in formal employment.78 Therefore, it can be deduced from figure 8.11 that among both men and women,
most lack social protection, because they are employed in sectors that are often not covered by social protection.
Figure 8.11 further suggests that women in particular are excluded more than men.
8.7 Types of Employment
8.7.1 Formal and Informal Employment
Formal employment is the type of employment in which employees are entitled to social security coverage and
contract in addition to annual paid leave, or any such entitlement and any legal registration for own account workers/
employers. Informal employment is the type of employment that is characterised by the lack of an entitlement to annual
paid leave and the absence of social security. This type of employment can be found in both formal sector and informal
sector production units.
In 2019, there were more men (70 per cent) than women (30 per cent) employed formally, which implies that more
women than men are vulnerable to employment shocks in Zambia.
Figure: 8.12 Percentage distribution of employed persons by type of employment and sex, 2019
80
70
60
50
Percentage
40
30
20
10
Formal Informal
Male Female
8.7.2 Agriculture and Non-Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the biggest employment sectors in Zambia for both men and women, as well as the youth. Like in
many SADC and developing countries, women are the main contributors to the agriculture sector; contributing mostly
cheap and unpaid labour. Currently, 88 per cent of the workforce in agriculture in Zambia comprises women who are
not covered by social security. Only 12 per cent are covered by social security, compared to 23.1 per cent of men
(see figure 8.13).
78
International Labour Organisation (ILO), Irish Aid, and GIZ. 2016. Extension of Social Protection to Workers in the Informal Sector in Zambia: Lessons Learnt from
Filed Research on Domestic Workers, Small Scale Farmers and Construction Workers. Lusaka: ILO Country Office.

Figure 8.13 Proportion of employed persons by type of employment and sex, 2019
100
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
0
Formal Informal Formal Informal Formal Informal
Total Agricultural Non-Agricultural
Male Female
8.7.3 Institutional Sector Employment

In 2019, there was a higher percentage of men employed in central government (58.1 per cent), local government
(71.6 per cent), and state-owned institutions (79 per cent). On the other hand, there were more women employed in
embassies/international organisations (71.5 per cent), NGOs (60.4 per cent), and producer cooperatives (61.3 per
cent) compared to men. For instance, only 28.4 per cent of women are employed in local government (see figure
8.14). This suggests a poor representation of women in decision-making, which has potentially grave consequences
for inclusive development at all levels, including the community and national levels.
Figure 8.14 Percentage distribution of employed persons by institutional sector and sex, 2019
Embassy/international organisation
Producers cooperative
NGO
Household
Central government
Private business/farms
Local government
Faith-based organisation
Parastatal/state-owned firm
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Male Female
8.8 Status in Employment

This indicator provides information on the distribution of the workforce by status in employment and can be used to
answer questions such as: what proportion of employed persons in a country (a) work for wages or salaries; (b) run
their own enterprises, with or without hired labour; or (c) work without pay within the family unit?
According to the International Classification of Status in Employment (ICSE), the basic criteria used to define the
status groups are the types of economic risk that they face in their work, an element of which is the strength of
institutional attachment between the person and the job; and the type of authority over establishments and other
workers that the job-holder has or will have as an explicit or implicit result of the employment contract.

Figure 8.15 shows that more women are in indirectly gainful employment (engaged in unpaid family work) compared
to men. Furthermore, the figure suggests that more women than men are not engaged or involved in participating in
productive activities as employers (i.e. running their own businesses with employees).
Figure 8.15 Percentage distribution of employed persons by status in employment and sex, 2019
Contributing family workers
Own-account workers
Paid employees
Paid apprentices
Paid interns
Employers
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Male Female
8.9 Potential Labour Force

Potential labour force is defined as all persons of working age who during a short reference period were neither
employed nor unemployed and:
a. Carried out activities to “seek employment”, were not “currently available”, but would become available within a
short subsequent period established in the light of national circumstances; or
b. Did not carry out activities to “seek employment”, but wanted employment and were “currently available”.
The number of persons in the potential labour force increased from 1,650,765 in 2017 to 1,688,980 in 2019 (see
table 8.3). There were more women than men in the potential labour force across all the years. This means that there
were more women than men who carried out activities to “seek employment”, were not “currently available”, but would
become available within a short subsequent period established in the light of national circumstances; or did not carry
out activities to “seek employment”, but wanted employment and were “currently available”.
Table 8.3 Number distribution of the potential labour force by sex, 2017–2019
Year Both sexes Males Female

2017 1,650,765 717,792 932,972
2018 1,684,317 772,778 911,539
2019 1,688,980 807,281 881,699
8.10 Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate is probably the best-known measure of labour underutilisation. It is the proportion of persons
in the labour force without employment but actively searching and available to take up employment.
The unemployment rate declined from 12.6 per cent in 2017 to 11.4 per cent in 2018. However, in 2019, the rate
increased to 12.5 per cent. In all the years under review, the unemployment rate was higher for females than males
(see figure 8.16).

Figure 8.16 Unemployment rate by sex, 2017–2019
16
14
12
10
Percentage
2017 2018 2019
8.11 Youth Unemployment

Youth unemployment is an important policy issue for many countries, regardless of the stage of development. For the
purposes of this indicator, the term youth refers to persons aged 15–35, in line with Zambia’s national youth policy. The
youth unemployment rate declined from 17.4 per cent in 2017 to 16 per cent in 2018, but then increased to 17.9 per
cent in 2019. This unemployment rate was higher among female youth than among male youth throughout the period
under review (see figure 8.17).
Figure 8.17 Youth unemployment rate by sex, 2017–2019
25
20
15
Percentage
10
2017 2018 2019
8.12 Economically Inactive Population

The inactivity rate is defined as the percentage of the population that is neither working nor seeking work (that is, not
in the labour force). The inactivity rate in 2017 was estimated at 62.5 per cent. It increased to 64.9 per cent in 2018,
then declined to 64.7 per cent in 2019. The inactivity rate was lower among men than among women in this three-year
period (see figure 8.18). This means that fewer women were engaged in productive and employment-related activities
compared to men.

Figure 8.18 Inactivity rate by sex, 2017–2019
80
60
Percentage
40
20
2017 2018 2019
8.13 Youth Not in Employment, Education, or Training

Youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET) is a widely used indicator for formulating policies aimed
at offering suitable places for young people in education or training, as well as for determining the participation age
for economic activity. Furthermore, youth NEET is used to help young people find sustainable employment, such as
through the expansion of apprenticeship schemes, reforms to technical education, and improved career advice. In
addition, governments can use it for deploying strategic funding in various schemes aimed at improving the education
outcomes for disadvantaged young people and those with learning difficulties or disabilities.
In 2019, the total number of youth NEET in Zambia stood at 2,895,712, with female youth accounting for 62.3 per cent
of this number. There were more female youth than male youth NEET in both rural and urban areas. In urban areas, the
women accounted for 66.9 per cent and men accounted for 33.1 per cent of youth NEET (see table 8.4).
Table 8.4 Number and percentage distribution of youth (aged 15–35) not in employment, education, or training (NEET)
by sex, 2019
Male Female
Geographical
location/sex Both sexes No. % No. %
Total 2,895,712 1,091,818 37.7 1,803,894 62.3
Rural 1,674,163 687,569 41.1 986,594 58.9
Urban 1,221,548 404,248 33.1 817,300 66.9
Figure 8.19 shows age-specific percentages of youth NEET by sex. In 2019, the proportion of female youth NEET was
higher than that of male youth NEET across all youth age groups. The highest difference was observed in the 30–35
age group, with men at 35.3 per cent and women at 64.7 per cent.

Figure 8.19 Percentage distribution of youth NEET by age group and sex, 2019
70
60
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-35
Male Female
As figure 8.20 shows, a majority of both female youth and male youth NEET are in rural areas. This implies that
overall, there are more youths not in employment, education, or training in Zambia’s rural areas.
Figure 8.20 Proportion of youth NEET by residence and sex, 2019
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Rural Urban
Male Female
8.14 Access to Property and Resources

8.14.1 Own Business Account/Enterprise
In 2019, of a total of 1,596,728 persons aged 15 or older in business/own account employment, 47.4 per cent were
females. Furthermore, as table 8.5 shows, 33.4 per cent of the own account workers in the formal sector were women,
with men accounting for 66.6 per cent.
Table 8.5 Number and percentage distribution of own account workers by sector of employment and sex, 2019
Sector of Male Female

Total
employment No. % No. %
Total 1,596,728 839,698 52.6 757,030 47.4
Formal 94,272 62,739 66.6 31,533 33.4
Informal 904,071 473,355 52.4 430,715 47.6
Household 598,385 303,604 50.7 294,782 49.3

As figure 8.21 shows, the majority of workers in business/own account employment are in the informal sector among
both women and men. Of the total women in business/own account employment, 4.2 per cent are in the formal sector,
56.9 per cent are in the informal sector, and 38.9 per cent are in the household sector. Of the total men in business/
own account employment, 7.5 per cent are in the formal sector; 56.4 per cent are in the informal sector; and 36.2 per
cent are in the household sector.
Ownership of productive means, such as a business, has a significant impact on women’s empowerment, as well as
on addressing gender inequalities across the spectrum. However, in Zambia, business ownership – as seen in figure
8.21 – is low among women.
Figure 8.21 Percentage distribution of own account workers by sector of employment and sex, 2019
60
50
40
30
20
10
Formal Informal Household
Male Female
8.14.2 Own-Use Production Work

Persons in own-use production work are defined as all those of working age who, during a short reference period,
performed any activity to produce goods or provide services for own final use. In 2019, an estimated 4,085,187
persons were engaged in own-use work, a majority of them women across rural and urban areas (see table 8.6).
Table 8.6 Number and percentage distribution of own-use production workers by residence, goods/services, and sex, 2019
Rural Urban
Both sexes Male Female Both Sexes Male Female
Goods 2,513,393 1,120,832 1,392,561 395,468 171,250 224,218
Services 433,086 40,857 392,229 716,240 84,330 631,910
Total 2,946,479 1,161,689 1,784,790 1,111,708 255,580 856,127
Figure 8.22 indicates the percentage distribution by sex of those engaged in own-use production. There were more
females than males engaged in own-use production, either of services or of goods, across rural and urban areas.

Figure 8.22 Percentage distribution of own-use production workers by residential area and sex, 2019
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Male Female Male Female Male Female
Total Rural Urban
Total 34.9 65.1 39.4 60.6 23.0 77.0
Among men, those engaged in the production of goods accounted for 44.4 per cent and those engaged in the
provision of services accounted for 10.9 per cent. Among women, meanwhile, those engaged in the production of
goods accounted for 55.6 per cent and those engaged in the provision of services accounted for 89.1 per cent. When
considered by area of residence, urban women seem to engage in the production of goods more than their rural
counterparts; whereas rural women are engaged in the provision of services more than their urban counterparts. The
opposite is true for men, as shown in figure 8.23. However, it must be noted that the differences between the rural and
the urban populations are not very wide.
Figure 8.23 Percentage distribution of own-use production workers by goods/services and sex, 2019
100
80
60
40
20
0
Male Female Male Female Male Female
Total Rural Urban
Total 34.9 65.1 39.4 60.6 23.0 77.0
Goods 44.4 55.6 44.6 55.4 43.3 56.7
Services 10.9 89.1 9.4 90.6 11.8 88.2
Total Goods Services
8.14.3 Land Ownership and Agriculture

8.14.3.1 Land Ownership
Land is the most critical resource in any given society, as it is the basis for human survival. It is also an important
factor in the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment, as it empowers women to make decisions on
land use and extends their negotiating power and ability to address vulnerability. It is for this reason that the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses issues facing women in agriculture and calls upon states to fulfil
women’s equal rights to economic resources, basic services, technology and financial services, land and other forms
of property, and natural resources; and double, by 2030, the agricultural productivity and incomes of women small-
scale food producers through markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
Under the Seventh National Development Plan, the Zambian government considers land to be a key resource to
foster gender equality in access to economic resources and to increase women’s productivity. It also emphasises the
equality between women and men in access to land as a human rights issue. The Lands Act of 1995, Cap.184 of the
Laws of Zambia, also provides legal machinery through which the land alienation system can be governed to ensure

the fundamental right to property and ownership of land of all Zambians. It guarantees the possibility of becoming
landowners with security of tenure of 99 years.
Zambia has a two-tier system of land ownership comprising state and customary land. State land makes up 6 per
cent of the country’s land, while customary land accounts for 94 per cent. The Lands Act provides support for women
with regard to state land, but does not apply to customary land. With regard to customary land, land ownership does
not provide women with significant land rights, and even when it does, traditional institutions often do not effectively
implement the rules. Customary tenure rules and institutions vary across regions, and sometimes within ethnic groups.
They are also dynamic, changing over time to address new challenges and circumstances. The customary tenure
systems are generally unwritten, and thus most land held under these systems has no formal documentation, with
traditional rules passed orally from generation to generation. Cultural inculcation is also evident with regard to state
land, with few women applying for state land; and upon being offered it, a good number relinquish ownership to their
male counterparts.
To make visible and address gender inequality in access to and ownership of land, the government, through the
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has developed an affirmative policy reserving 50 per cent of all land on offer
for women, in line with the Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development (2016). In addition, the government
has developed the Zambia Integrated Land Management Information System (ZILMIS) to capture sex disaggregated
data on land transactions, as part of its quest to improve gender statistics in land administration.
Table 8.7 shows state land offers from 2017 to 2019. In 2017, of a total of 17,392 offers, 12,103 were given to men,
with women receiving 5,289. In 2018, of a total of 16,043 offers, 11,214 were given to men and 4,829 to women.
However, in 2019, a total of 25,598 offers were given, with men receiving 16,715, while women received 8,883.
Table 8.7 State land offers by sex, 2017–2019
Year Men % of men Women % of women Total

2017 12,103 69.59 5,289 30.41 17,392
2018 11,214 69.90 4,829 30.10 16,043
2019 16,715 65.30 8,883 34.70 25,598
Source: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLN) and Land Information Management System (LIMS).
Figure 8.24 Percentage distribution of state land by sex, 2017–2019

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
2017 2018 2019
Male Female
Source: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) and Land Information Management System (LIMS).
Figure 8.24 shows that in 2017, of those offered state land, 69.59 per cent were men and 30.41 per cent were women.
In 2018, men accounted for 69.9 per cent and women for 30.1 per cent of those offered state land. Then, in 2019, of
those offered state land, 65.3 per cent were men, with women accounting for 34.7 per cent.
The data reveals that, from 2017 to 2019, fewer women than men were offered state land; despite women (51 per
cent) outnumbering men (49 per cent) in the population. Women’s lower levels of access to land can be attributed to
factors such as the low education and high poverty levels among them, which make the costs of acquiring state land
beyond most of their reach.

Also, the patriarchal traditional and cultural beliefs prevalent in Zambian society influence women’s access to land,
as most women are still reluctant to apply for land; and, as mentioned earlier, of the women that apply and are offered
land, a majority surrender ownership to their spouses or male family members.
8.14.3.2 Agriculture
In the 21st century, agriculture has continued to be a fundamental tool for achieving sustainable development and
poverty reduction. The Zambian government, with the support of non-governmental organisations and donor agencies,
has prioritised agricultural development in the fight against poverty and hunger.
However, the government’s efforts have been affected by several challenges, including poor soils; the impact of
climate change, such as unpredictable rainfall patterns (droughts and floods); inadequate labour; pests and diseases;
and poor rural infrastructure.79 To overcome these constraints, the government, through its various ministries, has
initiated a wide range of interventions aimed at fostering agricultural production and productivity. These programmes
include the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural technologies in
crop production such as crop diversification, livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry.
a. Farmer Input Support Programme
FISP usually takes the form of distribution of subsidised inorganic fertiliser and improved seed to small-scale farmers.
The selection criteria for small-scale farmers are based on the farmers’ ability to pay 50 per cent upfront. Before
farmers start redeeming the farming inputs, the Ministry of Agriculture usually carries out sensitisation programmes,
through which farmers are encouraged to form cooperatives. In the sensitisation programmes, women are usually
encouraged to participate and given an assurance that priority will be given to them. Additionally, the emphasis is
also on the membership of the formed cooperatives, whereby any cooperative formed without the participation of any
women is usually not considered at the approval stage.
The number of FISP beneficiaries increased from 459,152 in the 2016/2017 farming season to 998,903 in the
2018/2019 farming season. From 2017 to 2018, the majority of beneficiaries were men. During the 2018/2019 farming
season, as just mentioned, the programme recorded a total of 998,903 beneficiaries, of which, 502,807 were women
and 496,096 were men. (See table 8.8.)
Other programmes being implemented by the government to address poverty and vulnerability include: the Food
Security Pack, which aims to promote food security; the Supporting Women’s Livelihoods and Empowerment Project;
and the Community Skills Development Programme (see section 5).
Table 8.8 Number and percentage distribution of beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme, 2017–2019
Men Women
Farming season Total
No. % No. %
2016/17 367,384 80.0 91,768 20.0 459,152
2017/18 555,619 65.0 299,180 35.0 854,799
2018/19 496,096 49.7 502,807 50.3 998,903
Source: Ministry of Agriculture.
Table 8.8 indicates that the number of women benefiting from FISP increased in 2018 and further in 2019 as compared
to men. This indicates that more women were engaged in productive activities.
b. Crop Production
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations observed, in 2019, that if women had the same
access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20 to 30 per cent. This could raise
the total agricultural output in developing countries by 2.5 to 4 per cent, with significant contributions to the reduction
of hunger and malnutrition.
In Zambia, male-headed households are more engaged in crop production as compared to female-headed
households. However, literature reviews show that women are the major food producers and processors, accounting
for over 60 per cent of the national food stocks.
Table 8.9 shows the number of national agricultural households engaged in crop production from the 2017/2018 to
2019/2020 agricultural seasons. In the 2017/2018 agricultural season, of a total of 1,437,679 agricultural households,
1,072,920 were male-headed households, while 364,759 were female-headed households. In the 2018/2019 agricultural
season, of the 1,616,912 agricultural households in total, 1,244,953 were male-headed, while 371,959 were female-
79
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). 2019. Crop Forecasting Survey (2017–2019). Lusaka: Ministry of National Development Planning.

headed. However, in the 2019/2020 agricultural season, of the 1,640,786 agricultural households in total, 1,243,142
were male-headed households, while 397,644 were female-headed households.
Table 8.9 Number of national agricultural households engaged in crop production by sex, 2017/2018–2019/2020
Agricultural season Total Male-headed households Female-headed households

2017/18 1,437,679 1,072,920 364,759
2018/19 1,616,912 1,244,953 371,959
2019/20 1,640,786 1,243,142 397,644
Source: Crop Forecasting Surveys, 2017/2018–2019/2020.
Figure 8.25 Proportion of national agricultural households engaged in crop production by sex, 2017/2018–2019/2020
agricultural seasons
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
2017/18 2018/19 2019/20
Male-headed Female-headed
Source: Crop Forecasting Surveys, 2017/2018–2019/2020.
The data indicate that there were more male-headed agricultural households as compared to female-headed
agricultural households, from the 2017/2018 to 2019/2020 agricultural seasons, at the national level. The 2018/2019
agricultural season recorded the highest number of male-headed agricultural households, representing 77 per cent of
the total crop-growing households, as compared to the other two seasons. In the same vein, the 2017/2018 agricultural
season recorded the highest number of female-headed households, representing 25 per cent of the total crop-growing
households, as compared to the other two seasons.
At the provincial level, in the 2017/2018 agricultural season, of the 1,437,679 agricultural households in total, the
highest number of male-headed households (218,961) was in Eastern province, while Central had the lowest number
of male-headed households (14,638). Eastern also had the highest number of female-headed agricultural households
(70,129) at the provincial level, with Lusaka province having the lowest such number (11,627).
Table 8.10 shows the number of agricultural households engaged in crop production per province, by sex, during
the 2017/2018 agricultural season.

agricultural season
Province Male-headed households Female-headed households

Central 14,638 39,860
Copperbelt 60,134 16,029
Eastern 218,961 70,129
Luapula 129,160 30,110
Lusaka 40,734 11,627
Muchinga 105,646 26,006
Northern 155,257 38,936
North Western 87,671 25,334
Southern 160,030 50,762
Western 100,689 55,966
Source: Crop Forecasting Survey 2017/2018
agricultural season.
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
North
Central Copperbelt Eastern Luapula Lusaka Muchinga Northern Southern Western
Western
Source: Crop Forecasting Survey 2017/2018.
In the 2018/2019 farming season, of the 1,616,912 agricultural households in total, the highest number of male-
headed households (242,405) was in Eastern and the lowest such number (40,649) was in Lusaka at the provincial
level. Eastern province also had the highest number of female-headed agricultural households (59,536) at the provincial
level, with Lusaka having the lowest number of such households (11,483).
Table 8.11 shows the number of agricultural households engaged in crop production per province by sex during the
2018/2019 agricultural season.
agricultural season

Central 149,273 42,236
Eastern 242,405 59,536
Luapula 130,723 32,170
Lusaka 40,649 11,483
Muchinga 101,079 30,666

Northern 156,866 40,597
Southern 172,064 58,532
Western 104,389 53,250
agricultural season
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
North
Western
In the 2019/2020 agricultural season, of the 1,640,786 agricultural households in total, Eastern had the highest
number of male-headed households (231,317) and Lusaka the lowest number of male-headed households (44,213)
at the provincial level. Additionally, Eastern province also had the highest number of female-headed households
(74,907), while Lusaka had the lowest number of such households (1,184) at the provincial level. Table 8.12 shows the
number of agricultural households per province engaged in crop production by the sex of the household head during
the 2019/2020 agricultural season.
agricultural season

Central 157,651 39,397
Eastern 231,317 74,907
Luapula 131,140 32,570
Lusaka 44,213 1,184
Muchinga 103,447 36,088
Northern 166,049 35,408
Southern 172,641 60,875
Western 101,106 59,345
c. Livestock Production
Livestock is an important agricultural sub-sector, contributing 15.2 per cent of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP).
Livestock has the greatest potential to propel sector growth with more than half of rural households owning livestock.
However, at the time of data compilation, the data indicating livestock production by type, disaggregated by sex, from

2017 to 2019, were not available. The only data available was the number of heads of household raising livestock as
of January 2018.
Table 8.13 shows that out of the 1,638,424 households that were engaged in raising livestock, as at January 2018,
at the national level, 1,295,827 were male-headed households as compared to 342,597 female-headed households.
Table 8.13 Distribution of household heads raising livestock per province by sex, as of January 2018

Central 154,949 41,780
Eastern 211,713 50,545
Luapula 103,744 24,586
Lusaka 92,464 28,939
Muchinga 104,022 23,022
Northern 136,546 30,195
Southern 205,918 58,278
Western 92,949 37,988
Zambia 1,295,827 342,597
Source: 2017/2018 Livestock and Aquaculture Census.
Figure 8.28 Distribution of household heads raising livestock by province and sex, 2018
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
North
Western
Figure 8.28 shows that Eastern province had the highest number of male-headed households raising livestock at
211,713, followed by Southern province with 205,918 male-headed households; while North Western had the lowest
number of such households at 77,278.
Additionally, Southern province had the highest number of female-headed households raising livestock at 58,278,
followed by Eastern province with 50,545 female-headed households; while North Western had the lowest number of
female-headed households at 20,504.
d. Fisheries and Aquaculture
There are three major basins that provide capture fishery resources in Zambia, and these are the Zambezi, Luapula,
and Lake Tanganyika basins. Zambia is estimated to have the capacity to produce about 150,000 metrics tons of
fish from these systems annually on a sustainable basis. An estimated 300,000 rural households (2.3 per cent of the
population) earn part of their income from fishery, contributing to about 3 per cent of GDP.80
80
GRZ and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). 2017. Country Programming Framework for Zambia 2017–2021.

Table 8.14: Distribution of fish-farming households by sex of the household head per province, as of January 2018

Central 408 55
Copperbelt 877 25
Eastern 434 65
Luapula 1,048 63
Lusaka 479 63
Muchinga 970 47
Northern 3,129 126
North Western 1,308 86
Southern 114 174
Western 140 5
Zambia 8,906 709
Figure 8.29 Distribution of fish-farming households by sex of the household head and province, as at January 2018
3,500
3,000
2,500
1,500
1,000
500
0
North
Western
Figure 8.29 indicates that Northern province had the highest number of male-headed households engaged in fish
farming at 3,129, followed by North Western province in second place with 1,308 male-headed households. Southern
province had the lowest number of male-headed households engaged in fish farming at 114.
Additionally, Southern province had the highest number of female-headed households engaged in fish farming at
174, with Northern province in second place with 126 female-headed households. Western province had the lowest
number of female-headed households engaged in the activity at five. To scale up efforts in fish farming, including in
the country’s rural areas, the Zambian government, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has been providing
technical training and extension services for fish farming.
e. Forestry
There is limited sex-disaggregated data on forestry in Zambia. Published national statistical databases and
unpublished literature, as well as the online databases of international organisations (such as the Food and Agriculture
Organisation, International Labour Organisation [ILO], United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], World Bank,
and others) contain limited gender-disaggregated information on forestry.
The gender profile carried out by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), in 2013,
revealed that women are more involved in the collection of firewood, fruits, nuts, seeds, roots, mushrooms, plant
medicines, caterpillars, and grass for thatching houses; while most men produce charcoal (for sale), collect wood for
poles and fibre for rope, and harvest honey. Due to their traditional reliance on forestry resources, women are often the
main repositories of traditional knowledge about the use and management of trees and forest plants.

9
Gender-Based
Violence
This section presents information on gender-based violence – a vice that has been recognised as a public health
issue, a violation of human rights, and a key driver of extreme poverty. It affects both sexes; however, women and girls
are disproportionately affected. GBV has a negative impact on the realisation of good health and well-being, education,
decent work, and poverty alleviation, ultimately hindering the attainment of gender equality. Gender-based violence takes
the form of physical, mental, social, or economic abuse against an individual because of that person’s gender. It includes
violence that may result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm and inflict suffering on the victim. GBV takes many
forms, including violence against children, threats or coercion, and the arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether in public
or private life and in the world of work.
GBV in Zambia has long been recognised as a problem that needs to be addressed, as it is a hindrance to the
attainment of gender equality and the realisation of social and economic goals. The Zambian government has, thus, put
in place various pieces of legislation and national policies to address the problem of gender-based violence.
9.1 Reported Cases of Gender-Based Violence
Figure 9.1 shows an increase in the number of reported cases of GBV in Zambia, from 21,504 in 2017 to 25,121 in 2019.
Figure 9.1 Reported gender-based violence cases, 2017–2019
25,121
22,073
21,504
2017 2018 2019
Source: Zambia Police-Victim Support Unit (ZP-VSU). 2019. National GBV Crime Statistics Returns.
Table 9.1 shows the percentage distribution of reported cases of GBV, disaggregated by sex for the 2017–2019
period. The table clearly shows a reduction in reported cases from 16.8 per cent to 16.6 per cent in the case of men
and from 65.5 per cent to 59 per cent in the case of women for the period. Although the percentage distribution of
reported cases of GBV involving women was generally higher than those involving men in 2017–2019, it declined from
65.5 per cent in 2017 to 60.7 per cent in 2018, before declining further to 59 per cent in 2019. However, there was an
increase in reported cases involving boys (from 3.8 per cent to 4.9 per cent) and girls (from 13.9 per cent to 19.5 per
cent) from 2017 to 2019.
Table 9.1 Percentage distribution of reported cases of gender-based violence by sex, 2017–2019
Year Men Women Boys Girls

2017 16.8 65.5 3.8 13.9
2018 19.2 60.7 4.8 15.4
2019 16.6 59.0 4.9 19.5
Source: Zambia Police-Victim Support Unit (ZP-VSU). 2019. National GBV Crime Statistics Returns.

The reduction in reported cases can be attributed to government initiatives such as the enactment of Anti-Gender-
Based Violence Act No.1 of 2011; establishment of fast track courts in both rural and urban areas; establishment of
village-led and health facility-based One Stop Centres; sensitisation programmes on gender-based violence; and
engagement of religious/traditional leaders and their spouses. Other contributing factors have included the efforts of
implementing partners, such as awareness raising on the impact of GBV, the available options (avenues for action) for
victims, and punishment for perpetrators.
An improved capacity to record and report GBV cases in the period under review is one reason for the increased
numbers captured in figure 9.1, though this is not to diminish the possibility that GBV may still be on the increase
despite all efforts to curb it.
9.2 Types of Reported GBV Offences
As mentioned earlier, GBV takes different forms and may range from violence and harassment at work to early child
marriage and so on. Table 9.2 shows the common reported types of GBV in Zambia during the period 2017–2019. The
data table is arranged so as to show the number of reported GBV cases by sex and type of offence.
Of the 25,121 cases of gender-based violence reported in 2019,81 about 79 per cent involved women, while men
accounted for only 21 per cent. Among the committed offences, the highest number of cases fell under the category of
disputes, with 8,387 reported cases; 5,087 of them involving females and 2,580 involving males. Defilement comprised
the third highest number of cases: 2,653 cases were reported, of which 2,637 cases involved girls and only 16 cases
involved boys.
Table 9.2 Number of reported cases of gender-based violence disaggregated by sex and type of offence, 2019
Offences Male Female Total

Defilement of a child 16 2,637 2,653
Defilement of an imbecile 1 33 34
Attempted defilement 0 5 5
Rape 0 527 527
Attempted rape 0 64 64
Incest 13 33 46
Bigamy 1 4 5
Unnatural offences 21 10 31
Sexual harassment 0 14 14
Indecent assault 5 159 164
Murder 36 43 79
Child destruction 1 4 5
Infanticide 6 7 13
Abortion 0 15 15
Attempted murder 6 4 10
Attempted infanticide 0 0 0
Supplying drugs/instrument to procure abortion 0 1 1
Concealment of birth 0 5 5
Unlawful wounding 61 101 162
Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) 22 94 116
Assaults Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm 1,077 6,133 7,210
Assault on a child 307 293 600
Threatening violence 65 153 218
Child stealing 9 11 20
Child desertion 30 43 73
Neglect to provide 483 1,415 1,898
Failing to provide 286 1,274 1,560
81
Zambia Police, Victim Support Unit. 2019. National Crime Statistics Returns 2019.

Offences Male Female Total
Arson 3 11 14
Abduction 3 38 41
Human trafficking 5 13 18
Use of insulting language 81 306 387
Malicious damage to property 54 102 156
Theft 118 103 221
Child pornography 0 0 0
Found in possession of obscene material 0 3 3
Depriving the beneficiaries 30 39 69
Naming a person to be a witch 8 3 11
Pretence of marriage 0 5 5
Conduct likely to cause breach of peace 65 179 244
Cruelty to juveniles 2 6 8
Criminal trespass 6 11 17
Harmful cultural practices 0 1 1
Prohibition of certain marriages 0 4 4
Procuring an abortion 0 6 6
Neglect likely to spread infection 0 1 1
Wrongful confinement 0 0 0
Disputes 2,580 5,807 8,387
Total 5,401 19,720 25,121
Source: Zambia Police-Victim Support Unit. 2019. National Crime Statistics Returns.
9.2.1 Child Marriages

Child marriage is a violation of the rights of children below the age of 18 in that it exposes them to many health risks
like teen pregnancies, fistula, childbearing, and motherhood before they are physically and psychologically ready.
This vice deprives children of their rights to education and employment, making them more vulnerable to the risk
of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, as well as sexually transmitted infections. The consequences of child
marriage include but are not limited to childbearing at an early age, bearing more children at short intervals, and
greater contribution to the fertility rate; as well as possible maternal health complications.
Child marriage affects the continuation of girls’ education, as they tend to drop out of school to take up their new
roles as mothers and, in most cases, as wives. Therefore, it poses a challenge for achieving gender parity in education,
consequently affecting progress towards the attainment of SDG 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and quality education
for all and promote lifelong learning opportunity for all”. Child marriage increases the likelihood that a higher proportion
of boys will continue to be in school, and thus attain economic and employment skills; while girls are restricted to doing
household chores, which reduces their economic independence and contributes towards them becoming women
trapped in the poverty cycle and vulnerable to intimate partner violence. Indeed, child marriage has a negative impact
on the attainment of eight of the 17 SDGs. This is because it is a vice that undermines the psychological, mental, as
well as the general well-being of a child.
According to the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, 14.4 per cent of girls compared to 1.1 per cent
of boys were married. The share of married girls has decreased since the 2014 survey report,82 when married girls
accounted for 17 per cent and boys only 1 per cent. The decline in child marriages among girls can be attributed to
the sensitisation programmes conducted in chiefdoms, schools, churches, as well as society at large. People are also
aware that marrying a child off is a criminal offence, and whomsoever violates the rights of a child can be reported to
the police or other institutions with the jurisdiction to deal with such cases.
To reiterate, child marriage – i.e. the marriage of a person below the age of 18 – deprives adolescent girls of their
reproductive health rights, while impinging on their abilities to realise their full potential and to enjoy their human
rights, as established in various international treaties. Adolescent girls have the rights to education, health, dignity,
non-discrimination, and quality of life. Protecting, promoting, and fulfilling these rights is necessary to ensure that
adolescents grow into healthy, skilled, productive, independent, and responsible adults. Yet, the prevalence of child
82
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). 2014. Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2014.

marriage in Zambia stands in the way of ensuring these rights. To protect, promote, and fulfil the rights of adolescent
girls, there is a need to eradicate child marriage.
9.2.2 Human Trafficking
Human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation has increasingly been recognised as an issue that requires
urgent attention. Zambia is both a source country, from which victims are recruited or obtained, as well as a transit
country, through which traffickers transport their victims en route to their destination within the region or in other parts
of the world. Furthermore, internal trafficking of women and children is thought to be common in the country. For
instance, some children from poor households, as well as orphans and street children, are thought to be particularly
vulnerable to being trafficked to perform exploitative work as domestic workers or in mining and agriculture, and to
being sexually exploited. Children of more affluent rural families are also at risk of trafficking, as sending children to the
city is perceived as a status symbol.
Table 9.3 shows the number distribution of reported human trafficking cases by sex and age group from 2017 to
2019. The table shows an increase in the total number of cases from 9 in 2017 to 31 in 2018 and then a decrease to
18 in 2019. Of the 31 reported cases in 2018, the highest number (11) involved girls aged 16 and above. There was
a decline in the number of reported cases of trafficked boys and girls aged 16 and above to 1 and 4, respectively, in
2019.
The number of human trafficking cases of boys aged 16 and below also decreased from 8 in 2018 to 4 in 2019;
however, the pattern was different for girls in the same age group, with an increase from 7 cases in 2018 to 9 cases
in 2019.
Table 9.3 Number distribution of reported cases of human trafficking disaggregated by sex and age, 2017–2019
0-16 years 16 years and above

Year Total Male Female Male Female
2017 9 0 0 0 9
2018 31 8 7 5 11
2019 18 4 9 1 4
The reduction in the number of cases of trafficked girls aged 16 and above in 2019 can be attributed to government
efforts, in particular the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and the National Policy to Combat Human Trafficking. Furthermore,
an Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee was set up and adopted a comprehensive multi-annual action plan,
which provides for strengthening the government’s response to cases of trafficking, as well as for the development of
partnerships with non-state actors to improve public awareness and provide appropriate and accessible services to
victims of trafficking.
The government, working in collaboration with anti-human trafficking stakeholders, is involved in the implementation
of various activities that seek to change perceptions towards human trafficking, particularly where discriminatory
practices and trafficking are concerned. Some of the activities include:
• Reinforcement of capacities for the provision of appropriate services to meet the needs of victims of trafficking
through a referral network of safe-houses, one-stop centres, and women’s and children’s shelters;
• Establishment of the 24-hour 990 Toll-Free Counter-Trafficking Talk Line covering all 10 provinces; and
• Provision of safe and secure shelter, medical and psycho-social care, and repatriation and reintegration
assistance.
9.3 Actions Taken on Reported GBV Cases

Regulations and programmes to curb gender-based violence in Zambia suggest a need for stringent action to be
taken against reported GBV perpetrators. However, few cases seem to have resulted in convictions over the period
under review, as shown in figure 9.2. The figure further shows fluctuations in the number of convictions over the three
year period, from 2017 to 2019, with the highest number documented in 2018. These fluctuations can be attributed to
lack of evidence for securing convictions, as well as to withdrawals of cases by family members of the victims of GBV.

Figure 9.2 Convicted perpetrators of gender-based violence, 2017–2019
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
2017 2018 2019
Taken to court Convicted
Table 9.4 shows the numbers of reported GBV cases taken to court and those not taken to court from 2017 to 2019.
The number of cases taken to court decreased from 3,241 in 2018 to 3,109 in 2019. Meanwhile, the number of reported
GBV cases that were not taken to court increased from 18,832 in 2018 to 22,012 in 2019. The increase in the number
of GBV cases that were not taken to court can be attributed to cases that were either withdrawn or settled out of court
or not pursued by the complainants, or were false cases.
Table 9.4 Number distribution of cases of gender-based violence taken/not taken to court, 2017–2019
Year Taken to Court Not taken to Court

2017 2,696 18,808
2018 3,241 18,832
2019 3,109 22,012
Figure 9.3 shows the number distribution of GBV cases taken to court disaggregated by sex, from 2017 to 2019. The
analysis shows that of the 3,109 reported cases taken to court, 1,679 were of women followed by those of girls (1,005
cases). Men accounted for 275 and boys only 150 of the reported cases taken to court.
Figure 9.3 Number of reported GBV cases taken to court by sex, 2019
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
Men Women Boys Girls

Figure 9.4 shows the number distribution of reported GBV cases not taken to court, disaggregated by sex, from
2017 to 2019. It is evident that a higher number of women and girls’ reported cases were not taken to court (13,132
and 3,904 respectively compared to 3,889 and 1,087 cases of men and boys). Overall, the number of cases not taken
to court continued to increase in the years under review. The increase could be attributed to cases that were either
withdrawn at the police station or had incomplete files in terms of missing supporting documents or to cases not being
pursued by the complainants due to social and cultural norms.
Figure 9.4 Number of reported GBV cases not taken to court by sex, 2019
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
Men Women Boys Girls
Source: Zambia Police-Victim Support Unit, 2019. National Crime Statistics Returns.

10
The Media,
and Information and Communication
The media, and information and communication technologies play a critical role in industrialisation and socio-economic
development. Access to the media and ICT critically influences the daily operations and livelihoods of people. It is
essential for increasing people’s knowledge and awareness of important issues. Exposure to mass media, for instance,
can have lasting influence on people’s health behaviour. Also, key information on access to health and emergency
information, education, job opportunities, communications, politics, consumer satisfaction, community involvement,
trade, and governance is usually conveyed through the media and other ICT platforms. The Zambian government has
realised the important role that the media and ICT play, and thus, has put in place measures to ensure the scale-up of
media and ICT services across the country.
10.1 Representation, and Access to the Media and Information
The critical role that the media and ICT play in society, thus, warrants the need for equal representation in management
as well as in coverage. The media has the potential to perpetuate gender equality or inequality, both within the working
environment and in the representation of women and men at large (in terms of fair gender portrayal, and the use of
neutral and non-gender-specific language). Negative media coverage of women in general, as well as the profiles and
capabilities of specific individuals, can ultimately undermine their credibility, reduce opportunities for equal participation
of women in leadership and other productive roles, and entrench retrogressive stereotypes that have long hindered
women’s participation in social and economic development activities.
Despite the media, especially mass media, being a critical tool for communicating important national and sub-national
information, as well as the media’s potential to challenge detrimental gender attitudes and behaviours, 46 per cent of women
do not access print or mass media on a weekly basis compared to 31 per cent of men. (See figure 10.1 for more details.)
Figure 10.1 Access to weekly (regular) TV, radio, and newspaper by sex, 2018
60
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
Reads a newspaper Watches TV Listens to a radio Has access None of these media
to all three
Men Women
In Zambia, radio is the most frequently used form of media, followed by television and print media. In the case of all
three media, men (13 per cent) consume more than women (5.1 per cent).83 According to the Zambia Demographic
and Health Survey, 46 per cent of women compared to 31 per cent of men lack access to any form of media.84 It is also
interesting to note that despite efforts to improve access to the media in the country, the percentage of women lacking
access increased from 34 per cent in 2014 to 46 per cent in 2018, whereas men’s access increased from 22 per cent
83
84

to 31 per cent over the same period.85 Both the ZDHS86 and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology
Authority (ZICTA) survey87 show that there are income inequalities between men and women, with men earning more than
women. On this basis, it can be argued that men have more income, which allows them to purchase a television, radio, or
newspaper. Moreover, the media also tend to concentrate their services on the elite and urban dwellers,88 with the voices
of poor women, youth, rural dwellers, and the disabled rarely heard. (See figure 10.2 for media coverage and access to
mainstream media by level of education among men and women.)
Figure 10.2 Access to mainstream media – TV and radio – by education and sex, 2018
100
90
80
70
60
Percentage
50
40
30
20
10
0
No education Higher education No education Higher education
Women Men
TV Radio Both (including print media)
It must also be noted that access to mass and print media is higher among urban dwellers than those in rural areas: 9
per cent for urban women as opposed to 1.5 per cent for rural women, and 22.3 per cent among urban men compared
to 4.5 per cent among rural men.89 (See figure 10.3.) It goes without saying that this skewed representation indicates
significant gender inequality, especially given that exclusion from information touches on issues of personal and national
development.
Figure 10.3 Percentage distribution of people with access to regular mass media by sex and residence, 2018
25 Access to regular mass media (TV, radio, and newspaper) by sex and residence
20
15
10
Urban Rural
Men Women
85
86
87
88
89

10.1.1 Participation in Mass Media
Women in Zambia, like in the rest of the world, face several gender-related challenges in the media, especially around
participation. Men largely dominate senior leadership positions in the media. Only 37 per cent of senior management
positions are currently held by women, with 19 per cent of women in sources and 25 per cent of women in images.90
Similarly, women are absent in news content, and in instances when they receive coverage, it is mostly in a negative light
portraying them as vulnerable and as victims. In addition, in print and electronic shows, the media’s portrayal of women
is as subordinate to men – contrary to expectations of a democratic, fair, and balanced media.
10.2 Access to and Usage of Information and Communication Technologies
A global call to improve access to information and communication technologies is embedded in SDG 9 of building
resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and fostering innovation. At the national
level, the Government of Zambia has committed to improving the delivery of ICT infrastructure and services because of
their perceived role in both development and governance.91
It suffices to note that affordable and efficient ICT infrastructure and services allow any given community to participate
in the digital economy, thus increasing its overall economic well-being and competitiveness. Particularly for women
and girls, ICT are an invaluable tool that can enable them to improve their livelihoods and well-being and to increase
their voice and influence in society. It must also be noted that integration of ICT affects the success of businesses, and
thus influences the circulation of resources among citizens. However, ICT connectivity and ICT knowledge and skills
for women and girls are of concern in Zambia. Furthermore, inequalities in distribution and access to ICT extend to
geographical locations – with rural areas in Zambia disproportionately impacted.92
There are many factors influencing ICT access and usage in Zambia. However, income, education (literacy), lack of
awareness, and social position have been cited as some of the key factors in this regard. The main barriers to accessing
Internet services include: lack of appreciation of a need for the Internet, lack of skills to use Internet services, and the
high cost of required equipment. Other reasons include: lack of knowledge of how to use the Internet, lack of appropriate
devices, lack of interest in Internet services, and lack of access to these services.93
This section highlights major trends in access to and usage of ICT in Zambia, providing insights into existing inequalities
and the factors facilitating these inequalities, while drawing out the implications for development. Discussion will be limited
to access to the Internet and digital platforms, such as mobile banking, online banking, and online buying and selling.
10.2.1 Access to Internet and E-Commerce Services
Access to the Internet has significant life-changing benefits in areas ranging from financial services to health, education,
commerce, and trade, among others. Internet penetration enables people to seamlessly engage in economically productive
activities such as e-commerce. They can easily access online markets for their businesses, and they are also able to shop
online, compare prices, and participate in online auctions; thus getting the best bargains and maximising their returns.
All these ICT-based activities translate into economic empowerment. Individuals, groups of people, and areas that lack
adequate and effective access to Internet technology are at higher risk of poverty because of the increasing bias towards
a digital economy.
Access to and use of the Internet is high among men compared to women, and also in urban areas compared to rural
areas, as shown in figures 10.4 and 10.5. It is not only Internet access and usage that is low among women and people
in rural areas, but also engagement in e-commerce: 44.3 per cent of women compared with 55.7 per cent of men are
engaged in e-commerce, while 10.4 per cent of people living in urban areas compared with 3.4 per cent in rural areas
are engaged in the same.
Unequal access to and usage of both Internet and e-commerce services suggests that a significant majority of women
and those in rural communities is cut off from certain information that is only accessible via the Internet. It also means that
this group is cut off from engaging in online trade (buying and selling), learning, as well as email communication. The
same can be said of women with no access to the Internet.
90
Southern African Development Community (SADC). 2017. SADC Barometer 2017.
91
Ministry of National Development Planning (Zambia). 2017. Seventh National Development Plan 2017-2021; Lusaka.
92
93

Figure 10.4 Percentage distribution of people with access to Internet services by sex, 2018
54
48
40
32
Percentage
24
16
Women Men
Adapted from Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). 2018. National Survey on Access and Usage of Information
and Communication Technologies by Households and Individuals: A Demand Side Assessment of Access and Usage of ICTs in Zambia.
Figure 10.5 Percentage distribution of active Internet users in urban and rural areas, 2018
30
25
20
Percentage
15
10
Urban Rural National
Adapted from Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). 2018. National Survey on Access and Usage of Information
and Communication Technologies by Households and Individuals: A Demand Side Assessment of Access and Usage of ICTs in Zambia.
According to ZICTA, key issues influencing low usage of Internet and e-commerce services, especially among women
and people living in rural areas, include: poor access to infrastructure and appropriate gadgets (2.4 per cent of the rural
population have access to infrastructure or own a smart phone); lack of ICT skills (5.8 per cent of women know how to use
a computer); and lack of awareness of the opportunities and benefits of using the Internet. Also, high levels of illiteracy
affect the level or extent to which one uses ICT facilities, such as the Internet. For instance, it was established by ZICTA
that 55.6 per cent of Internet users and 36.5 per cent of e-commerce service users attained and developed their ICT skills
through secondary and tertiary education. Only less than 1 per cent of Internet users had never attended school.
10.2.2 ICT Access and Use Among the Youth
Internet usage in Zambia is highest among young people aged 10–34, who account for 72 per cent of all Internet users.
This high uptake of Internet services among the youth is a good indication because young people have the potential to
direct, and benefit from, development using ICT. Access to the Internet allows them to learn, to sharpen their skills, as
well as to engage in transformative debates with like-minded youths across the country. According to ZICTA, the Internet
is mostly used for research, downloads, and social networking among the surveyed population.

10.2.3 Mobile Phone Access, Usage, and Ownership
As of 2018, 53.5 per cent of Zambia’s population aged 10 and above used a mobile phone, with the highest percentage
of users being found in urban areas (71 per cent compared to 42.1 per cent in rural areas). Statistics on mobile ownership
suggest a minimal variance between mobile phone users and owners, as well as between sex categories, with 86.5 per
cent of men and 80.8 per cent of women owning a mobile phone.94 However, 76.7 per cent of male-headed households
indicated that they own a mobile cellular telephone, while only 64.9 per cent of female-headed households indicated that
they own one.95
Smart phones have gained prominence in the era of digitalisation and are an essential gadget, as they enhance the
connectivity of users to numerous Internet platforms in the absence of a computer. Lack of access to a smart phone can
have far-reaching developmental consequences for a country, as well as for individuals and groups of people. In Zambia,
rural areas have significantly low access to smart phones, with only 14.2 per cent of the overall population owning a smart
phone.
10.2.4 Access to and Usage of Digital Financial Services
Access to digital financial services is critical for the empowerment of both men and women, with national usage standing
at 48.9 per cent. In rural Zambia, 30.7 per cent of the population is accessing such services in comparison to 71.7 per
cent of the urban population, as indicated in figure 10.6. Furthermore, there is relatively higher access to and usage of
digital financial services among men (30.5 per cent) than among women (28.5 per cent).96
Figure 10.6 Percentage distribution of access to and usage of digital financial services by residential area, 2018
80
70
60
50
Percentage
40
30
20
10
Rural Urban National
Source: Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). 2018. National Survey on Access and Usage of Information and
Communication Technologies by Households and Individuals: A Demand Side Assessment of Access and Usage of ICTs in Zambia.
10.2.5 Efforts to Increase Media, Information, and ICT Accessibility in Zambia

Despite the low levels of access to and usage of ICT, especially among women and in rural areas, Zambia is making
steady progress in increasing and improving both the quality of and access to ICT; with a focus on inclusive access
whereby all categories of the population can access and use ICT infrastructure and services. This has been observed
through the development and establishment of deliberate programmes and policies aimed at developing ICT skills in
school-going children; at increasing women and girls’ participation in science, technology, environment, and mathematics
(STEM); and at expanding ICT infrastructure development to rural areas. In addition, the government has developed the
National Gender Policy that provides guidelines for media coverage with regard to positive portrayal of women and girls,
while mandating the government to ensure gender mainstreaming in media institutions.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services is also mandated to ensure that there is no gender stereotyping
in the media. In addition, the Ministry of Gender continues to mobilise public and private media institutions to facilitate
countrywide public education and awareness on gender equality; dissemination of gender responsive information; and
94
95
96

advocacy on various gender and development issues related to the media and ICT, among other things. However, these
efforts can be strengthened through the deliberate capacity-building of media personnel to effectively identify and report
on gender issues across the country.
An Information Media Gender Network has also been established to support efforts to champion women and marginalised
groups’ participation in and access to information through the media. The government is also implementing the Women
in News (WIN) programme aimed at increasing women’s leadership and the voices of women in news through working
with various media companies.
As indicated earlier in this section, ICT like the media play a critical role in shaping development by influencing social
norms and behaviours, exposing people to remote vocational skills training, and facilitating networking, among other
things. ICT has the potential to eliminate or alleviate some of the barriers faced by women, girls, and young people, such
as time scarcity and mobility issues – e.g., women need not travel to the market as they can buy and sell online, and thus
can have more time for other tasks – in overcoming the challenges of illiteracy and poverty.
Bearing in mind the opportunities that come with having access to and using ICT and media services, the observed
low levels of access to and usage of media information and various ICT services in Zambia significantly undermine
industrialisation, as well as women and girls’ emancipation and empowerment. Therefore, it is particularly essential for the
country to continue seeking sustainable ways of bridging the media and digital divide.

11
Conflict Management
and Peacekeeping Operations
Men and women must undertake conflict management and peacekeeping in partnership, because they bring different
perspectives to these processes. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security calls
on member states to realise the rights of women to participate in decision-making and as protectors of peace. Zambia
has been participating actively in conflict management and peacekeeping operations across Africa, contributing around
1,000 troops to UN missions deployed on the continent in 2019. Of these, 154 were servicewomen, serving as military
observers, medical personnel, community development social workers, and peacekeepers.97
97
United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping. April 2019. “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace”. Available online: https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/women-peacekeeping.

12
Conclusion
This Gender Status Report has highlighted critical gender issues that remain pervasive in Zambia, as well as the
persistent challenges in addressing equality and equity issues. These inequalities are fuelled by gender norms and belief
systems that relegate women, girls, and people living with disabilities to an inferior status, while perpetuating constructions
of gender that are destructive for all. Gender inequality underpins a range of negative sexual and reproductive health
and rights (SRHR) outcomes, including high levels of maternal, infant, and child mortality; a disproportionate number of
young women being infected with HIV; high levels of early marriages; high levels of adolescent pregnancies; low levels
of modern family planning methods use; and high levels of gender-based violence.
Persistent gaps in opportunities to access education, productive resources, health cover, and sexual and reproductive
health services, as well as the declining levels of employment, especially among women, the youth, and those in rural
areas – as highlighted in this report – perpetuate vicious inter-generational cycles of deprivation and disadvantage.
They also deepen rifts in society that are detrimental to human development and consequently national development.
The Government of Zambia, therefore, renews its commitment to continue working towards the elimination of all forms of
gender inequalities, as the country moves forward towards achieving its aim of becoming a prosperous middle-income
country in nearly 10 years from now.

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in Ensuring Judicial Independence and Integrity”.
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2018. Lusaka and Rockville, MD.

Appendices
Appendix 1. Map Showing HIV Prevalence by Province, 2018/2019
Northern
5.60%
Muchinga
5.40%
Luapula
7.90%
Copperbelt
North Western 15.40%
6.10%
Eastern
7.40%
Central
12.40%
Lusaka
Western 15.10%
10.60%
Prevalence
Southern 5.40% 15.40%
12.40%
Appendix 2. Map Showing Total Fertility Rate by Province
Northern
5.6%
Luapula Muchinga
6.0% 5.7%
Copperbelt
North Western 3.4%
4.9%
Eastern
5.5%
Central
4.8%
Zambia
Lusaka
Western 3.5%
5.4%
4.7%
Southern
12.40%

Appendix 3. Traditional Leadership by Sex and Province, 2017–2019
2017 2018 2019
expected
expected
expected
Women
Women
Women
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Total
Total
Total
Men
Men
Men
Province
Central 4 31 1 36 4 31 1 36 4 30 0 34
Copperbelt 3 9 3 15 3 9 3 15 2 13 0 15
Eastern 6 42 2 50 6 42 2 50 0 57 0 57
Luapula 4 28 7 39 4 28 7 39 1 39 0 40
Lusaka 4 4 1 9 4 4 1 9 2 4 0 6
Muchinga 1 28 1 30 1 28 1 30 1 22 0 23
Northern 1 28 3 32 1 28 3 32 1 28 0 29
North Western 2 27 4 33 2 27 4 33 3 30 0 33
Southern 2 28 3 33 2 28 3 33 0 41 0 41
Western 2 6 3 11 2 6 3 11 1 9 0 10
Total 29 230 29 288 29 230 29 29 15 273 0 288
Appendix 4. Number of Reported Gender-Based Violence Cases by Offence Type and Sex, 2019
Offences Male Female Total No.

Defilement of a child 16 2,637 2,653
Defilement of an imbecile 1 33 34
Attempted defilement 0 5 5
Rape 0 527 527
Attempted rape 0 64 64
Incest 13 33 46
Bigamy 1 4 5
Unnatural offences 21 10 31
Sexual harassment 0 14 14
Indecent assault 5 159 164
Murder 36 43 79
Child destruction 1 4 5
Infanticide 6 7 13
Abortion 0 15 15
Attempted murder 6 4 10
Attempted infanticide 0 0 0
Supplying drugs/instrument to procure abortion 0 1 1
Concealment of birth 0 5 5
Unlawful wounding 61 101 162
Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) 22 94 116
Assaults Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm 1,077 6,133 7,210
Assault on a child 307 293 600
Threatening violence 65 153 218
Child stealing 9 11 20
Child desertion 30 43 73
Neglect to provide 483 1,415 1,898
Failing to provide 286 1,274 1,560
Arson 3 11 14
Abduction 3 38 41
Human trafficking 5 13 18

Offences Male Female Total No.
Use of insulting language 81 306 387
Malicious damage to property 54 102 156
Theft 118 103 221
Child pornography 0 0 0
Found in possession of obscene material 0 3 3
Depriving the beneficiaries 30 39 69
Naming a person to be a witch 8 3 11
Pretence of marriage 0 5 5
Conduct likely to cause breach of peace 65 179 244
Cruelty to juveniles 2 6 8
Criminal trespass 6 11 17
Harmful cultural practices 0 1 1
Prohibition of certain marriages 0 4 4
Procuring an abortion 0 6 6
Neglect likely to spread infection 0 1 1
Wrongful confinement 0 0 0
Disputes 2,580 5,807 8,387
Total 5,401 19,720 25,121
Appendix 5. Percentage Distribution of Employed Persons by Industry and Sex, 2019

Activities of households as employers
Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies
Accomodation and food service activities

Wholesale and retail trade,
repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
Financial and insurance activities
Real estate activities
Human health and social work activities
Education
Other service activities
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Administrative and support service activities
Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply

Public administration and defence,
compulsory social security
Manufacturing
Professional, scientific and technical activities
Information and communication
Mining and quarrying

Water supply, sewerage, waste management
and remediation activities
Construction
Transport and storage
0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0
Male Female

Appendix 6. List of Team Members Who Authored Thematic Sections
Name Department/Ministry
William Kabwe Planning/Ministry of Gender
Andrea Habweza Planning/Ministry of Gender
Phillip Chilambwe Planning/Ministry of Gender
Simon Kapilima Gender Rights Protection/Ministry of Gender
Namatama Sakabilo Chinyama Gender Rights Protection/Ministry of Gender
Susan Musonda Gender Rights Protection/Ministry of Gender
Charity Lubumbe Gender in Development/Ministry of Gender
Sheila.S. Mudenda Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Batista Chilopa Mwale Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Emma Phiri Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Faith Chileshe Phiri Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Petronella Kaputu Sabi Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Joseph Mweetwa Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Bruce Sianyeuka Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Lubinda Mukata Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
Raphael Masangu Zambia Statistics Agency/Ministry of National Development Planning
SADC-GIZ Strengthening National-Regional Linkages Programme – Change Project: Gender Capacity-

Building Consultants for Zambia
• Chabila C. Mapoma, University of Zambia
• Shula H. Kasongamulilo, HELSH Consulting
• Sharon Simwanza, GIZ SNRL Programme Officer Communication, Outreach and Gender

Published: May 2021
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and German Federal Ministry
for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Government of the
Republic of Zambia; team members who authored thematic sections; and Change Project consultants listed on page 99
of this Report, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the German Government.
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Republic of Zambia

GENDER STATUS REPORT

Co-funded by the European Union

Gender Status Report 2017-19 3

4 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Hon Elizabeth Phiri MP

Gender Status Report 2017-19 5

Sastone Silomba Chola Chabala

Co-funded by the European Union

6 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Table 2.1 Population of Zambia by sex, 2017-2019

Gender Status Report 2017-19 7

Figure 2.1 Total fertility rate by residence, 2018

8 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Gender Status Report 2017-19 9

7NDP Seventh National Development Plan

10 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Gender Status Report 2017-19 11

Age-specific fertility rate (ASFR)

12 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Gender Status Report 2017-19 13

14 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Gender Status Report 2017-19 15

2.1 Demography and Population

Year 2017 2018 2019

Zambia Rural Urban

2.1.2 Age-Specific Fertility Rate

16 Gender Status Report 2017-19

<15 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

Urban 1 88 144 153 153 107 33 5

Rural 4 174 260 245 222 164 86 16

Total 3 135 203 199 187 138 63 12

Urban Rural Total

2.1.3 Age at First Marriage

15 years 18 years 20 years 22 years 25 years

Women 9.1 29.3 58.3 70.7 81.2

Men 0.1 4.4 14.2 29.8 54.6

Gender Status Report 2017-19 17

18 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Gender Status Report 2017-19 19

20 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Gender Status Report 2017-19 21

Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of

Gender Status Report 2017-19 23

Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of

Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of

4.4 Provincial Ministers

Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of

24 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Table 4.6 Number of senior chiefs by sex and province, 2019

Province Women Men Total

4.7 The Judiciary

Gender Status Report 2017-19 25

No. of women % of women No. of men % of men Total

4.9 Permanent Secretaries

Year No. of women % of women No. of men % of men Total

26 Gender Status Report 2017-19

Year No. of women % of women No. of men % of men Total

4.11 Management Positions in State-Owned Enterprises