A senior Zambian government official has reported that some political parties are asking aspiring female candidates for sexual favors in exchange for their candidacy ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for August.
Mainga Kabika, head of the gender division in the president's office, addressed this alarming issue in a recent conference, urging women to document these experiences. I can confirm that I am receiving many messages about women being asked for sexual favors for selection as candidates, and this is simply unacceptable, she stated.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Kabika did not disclose which political parties were implicated. Gender disparities in Zambian politics are prevalent, with only about 15% of members of parliament being women. This imbalance continues to reflect deep-rooted cultural and structural challenges.
Beauty Katebe, a prominent advocate for gender rights, commented on the ongoing issue, describing it as sextortion. She emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents, while also acknowledging the cultural biases and societal embarrassment that women often face in these cases.
The president's office previously noted a need for substantial improvement regarding gender representation in leadership roles in political and public offices. With the elections approaching, advocates are pushing for swift legal reforms to ensure protection against sexual harassment and to promote women’s active participation in Zambian politics.
