Zambia's Election Seasons, People Warn in the Opposition of “Sextortion” in Female Participants
- Wanjiru Waweru
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Wanjiru Waweru, Jadetimes Contributor
W. Waweru is a Jadetimes News Reporter Covering Africa News
Lusaka, Zambia — Politicians and women’s rights activists in Zambia warned on Wednesday, March 18, of a trend of female election participants who were requested for sexual encounters by senior male participants in exchange for an endorsement.
The main problem arose when a public top official in a government gender equality department explained this week that she heard 10 complaints of sexual harassment from women aiming for party backing to advocate as candidates in Zambia’s national elections in August.
Mainga Kabika, the permanent secretary of the Government’s Gender Division, explained on Monday, March 16, that the bad reports that she received - “various political party officials, including chairpersons, youth leaders, and those holding senior positions, are asking for sexual favors” in trade for countersigning women and helping their campaigns.
“I appeal to all female aspiring candidates to secure evidence against suspects,” said Kabika. She did not mention any names of those who participated in the election party and respectfully maintained confidentiality.
Zambia’s elections on August 13 would decide the president, and therefore, the lawmakers and local councilors. The entire nation of Southern Africa has an issue with the underrepresentation of women in politics, where only 15% of lawmakers in Parliament are women, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an international organization of national parliaments.
Zambia is a strong democracy, and it has an enormous conservative and patriarchal society, said the women’s group.
Zambia passed a law last year keeping at 20 seats in Parliament for women. President Hakainde Hichilema recognized gender disparities in the politics of Zambia. Hichilema’s vice president, Mutale Naluemango, is a woman.
Wanjiru Waweru is a Jadetimes News Reporter Covering Africa News in the Concentration of Zambia. You could email Wanjiru at sellmypaperwork@gmail.com and find more information about Sell My Paperwork.
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