Zambia launches Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls

Running from 2025 to 2027, the initiative will be implemented by four UN agencies— International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—in close collaboration with the Government of Zambia, through the Gender Division.

Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, presided over the event and while calling for additional legal reforms, noted Zambia’s achievements in the fight against GBV by enacting progressive laws.
“Zambia has achieved commendable strides in the legal arena by enacting laws such as the Penal Code, the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act, the Children’s Code Act, the Gender Equity and Equality Act, the Marriage Amendment Act and many more,” said Mr. Phiri.

“Despite these commendable strides, there are pieces of legislation that require review and amendment in order to enhance protection for women and girls,” he added.

Embassy of Ireland Chargé d’affaires, Ms. Kate O’Donnel, noted need for concerted efforts in ensuring success of the Spotlight Initiative. She said the programme would help with promoting accelerated change and shortening that timeline for closing the gender gap.

“This requires partnership, dedication and a vision for the long-term. Ireland is, and will remain, a committed partner to the Government and the people of Zambia in making progress with the changes at all levels that are required to ensure that this is a country where women and men enjoy equal rights and opportunities and live free of violence,” said Ms O’Donnel.

Also speaking at the launch, Ms. Mainga Kabika, Permanent Secretary of the Gender Division in the Office of the President, called for zero tolerance to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“All forms of GBV must be reported each time they manifest. No one should ever be a victim or survivor of GBV in our country or anywhere in the world. No child, whether male or female should have their future or identity affected by Gender-Based Violence. Children should be allowed to go to school and achieve their full potential,” Ms Kabika said.

And underscoring the commitment of the UN in helping Zambia fight GBV, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Beatrice Mutali, in a speech read on her behalf by UNFPA Representative, Mr. Seth Broekman, said that the new initiative would help in eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the country.

“Through the Spotlight Initiative, we are advancing a bold and transformative global agenda, one in which women and girls can live free from violence, discrimination, and fear,” said Ms Mutali.

According to the 2023 Zambia Gender Assessment Report, over 36 percent of women and girls in Zambia aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence at least once since the age of 15. The initiative seeks to address this urgent issue through a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach.

Through the initiative, Zambia will improve its laws, policies, and data systems to better support gender equality and stop violence against women and girls; individuals and communities will help to change harmful beliefs and behaviors that lead to violence and inequality.

Further, it will help to create a more respectful and equal society, enable survivors of gender-based violence to have better access to safe, respectful, and high-quality services; and support women’s rights groups, youth organizations, and other community groups to advocate and act in driving progress towards gender equality and ending violence.
 

The Spotlight Initiative reaffirms commitment by the Government, UN and Embassy of Ireland to achieving a Zambia where women and girls live free from violence, discrimination, and fear. It is a call to action for communities, institutions, and individuals to stand together and create lasting change.

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For more information, please contact:

Mark Maseko, National Information Officer, 

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lusaka. 

P: +260-211-228487; 

E: masekom@un.org