Zambia's Women in Politics Face 'Sextortion' Ahead of Elections

Tue Mar 17 2026 17:50:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Zambian official reveals that aspiring female politicians are being coerced into providing sexual favors for candidate selection.

In a recent statement, Zambian government official Mainga Kabika has highlighted alarming instances of 'sextortion' directed at aspiring female politicians by certain political parties. As Zambia approaches its general election on August 13, the gender disparity in political representation remains stark, with women making up only 15% of the nation's MPs. Kabika urges those affected to document these incidents, emphasizing the need for swift legal action and societal change to dismantle cultural barriers that deter women's participation in politics.

A senior Zambian government official has revealed that some political parties are requiring aspiring female candidates to provide sexual favors in exchange for selection ahead of the upcoming elections in August.

I am going to appeal to all female aspiring candidates to ensure that they record all these cases, said Mainga Kabika, head of the gender office in the presidency.

While Kabika did not specify which political parties were involved, she confirmed that she has been receiving numerous reports from women facing these unacceptable demands.

Zambia currently grapples with a significant gender imbalance in politics, with women comprising only approximately 15% of Members of Parliament (MPs). This lack of representation is largely attributed to entrenched cultural and structural barriers.

Addressing a gathering of state prosecutors, Kabika noted the disturbing trend of women's reluctance to engage in politics due to the risk of 'sextortion' during the candidate nomination process.

This situation is very troubling as it discourages many women from participating in politics, particularly as candidates, stated Beauty Katebe, chair of the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council.

Katebe acknowledged the societal challenges women face when reporting such cases, emphasizing the need for a fast-track court to handle these allegations promptly, while also calling for stricter laws to deter sexual harassment.

Despite recent high-profile appointments of women in political roles, including Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, the struggle for gender equality in Zambia's political landscape continues. Current statistics reveal that only 28% of civil service directors are women, with just five out of 36 CEOs of state-owned enterprises being female.

The general election is set for August 13, where Zambians will cast their votes for a new president, MPs, local councillors, and council chairs.