Zambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and, after two decades of political and economic instability, ushered in a new administration that shifted to a decentralized government in 1991. The country’s current constitution, drafted that same year, states, “It is recognized and declared that every person in Zambia has been and shall continue to be entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, color, creed, sex or marital status, but subject to the limitations contained in this Part, to each and all of the following, namely: life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law…” Zambia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1985, and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, also known as the Maputo Protocol in 2006. The Zambian government established the Ministry of Women, Gender, and Development as well as the Gender in Development Division to promote and protect the rights of women. These efforts have made a difference, and according to the 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, which measures economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, Zambia ranks 56th out of 156 countries. However, despite significant progress made over the past three decades, the country is still operating under a strict patriarchal structure which lends itself to significant levels of gender discrimination. As of 2020, only 18 percent of seats in parliament were held by women, and according to UNICEF only 27 percent of girls in Zambia complete upper secondary school. Gender-based violence is also a serious issue, and according to a 2018 UN Women report, nearly 28 percent of women aged 15-49, reported that they had been physically and/or sexually abused by a current or former intimate partner during the year. A Demographic Health Survey found that 62 percent of women and 48 percent of men believe a “husband is justified in hitting or even beating his wife under certain circumstances.” Fortunately, women’s rights organizations like Women for Change, Zambia Alliance of Women, and the Zambian National Women’s Lobby are providing resources for victims of domestic abuse while advocating on behalf of gender equality across the country.
Minimal financial investment combined with socio-cultural barriers have historically prevented Zambian women and girls from participating in sports. In 2014, the Ministry of Youth and Sport established a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Women in Sport to help provide sporting opportunities for women and girls. Along with governmental initiatives, women’s sports have gained in popularity due to the success of the country’s sports teams. The national soccer team qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Games for the first time, making them just the fifth African team to reach the Olympics. Barbara Banda scored six goals in Zambia’s first two matches becoming the first female soccer player in history to score two hat tricks in one Olympic Games. The national netball team placed third at the 2011 All-Africa Games and as of 2022 is ranked 17th on International Netball Federation World Rankings. Boxer, Esther Phiri is the most decorated female athlete in the country’s history and was the 2015 Women’s International Boxing Association Light Welterweight World Champion.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Zambia:
Diana Mutakafimbo
Tilabilenji Mvunga
How does Zambia compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
18%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
30%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
No
Title IX Timeline
1964
Formerly Northern Rhodesia, this nation took the name Zambia on October 24 when it gained independence from the United Kingdom and became a one-party, independent republic. Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage). Patricia Skinner, a fencing athlete, is considered to be the first woman to represent Zambia (then called Northern Rhodesia) at the Olympics.
1985
Zambia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1991
The one-party state was abolished and free elections were held in October.
2000
Nancy Kalaba, an athletics athlete, became the first woman to represent Zambia in the Paralympics.
2008
Zambia signed the optional protocol to CEDAW.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
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24
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
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Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1964
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
2000
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
2000
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1994
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
For the first time in the country’s history, Zambia’s women’s national team qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2007
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
The NBA and the Basketball Africa League are working together across Africa to raise awareness about gender-based violence, support girls’ education, and increase female involvement in basketball at all levels.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
NBA + Basketball Africa League Partnership
FIBA Strategic Objectives
LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Major Regional Or Country Sport Initiatives
In 2014, the Ministry of Youth and Sport established a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Women in Sport to help provide sporting opportunities for women and girls.
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Zambia Cricket Association
Zambia Softball Baseball Association
Zambia National Organisation for Women in Sport Physical Activity and Recreation (NOWSPAR)
