ZANEC Calls for Stronger Protection of Learners as 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV Begin

Lusaka, Zambia – The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed annually from 25 November to 10 December. The international campaign mobilizes institutions to raise awareness and intensify action against all forms of GBV.

ZANEC Executive Director George Hamusunga says the campaign offers the education sector a critical platform to advocate for safer schools, promote gender equality, strengthen reporting and referral systems, and highlight the urgent need to protect learners—particularly girls—from violence, abuse, and discrimination within educational environments.

This year’s global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” focuses attention on the growing threats girls and young women face online. The coalition notes that digital abuse—from harassment and doxing to deepfakes and cyberstalking—is on the rise globally, silencing girls, undermining their confidence, and discouraging them from public participation, including in classrooms and civic spaces.

Citing UN Women data, ZANEC highlighted that between 16% and 58% of women and girls experience some form of digital violence, with a significant proportion of deepfake content targeting girls and young women. These online harms, the coalition warns, have real-world consequences, affecting mental health, personal safety, reputation, and access to education.

He  also expressed deep concern over the removal of the School-Related Gender-Based Violence grant in the 2026 National Budget. The coalition says this decision comes at a time when evidence shows increasing vulnerability of girls to both online and offline forms of GBV. 

Without dedicated funding, schools risk losing vital support for counselling, safeguarding, teacher training, digital safety programmes, community awareness, and implementation of the Re-entry Policy for adolescent mothers.

ZANEC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safe and inclusive learning environments through, School and community GBV sensitisation initiatives, including the Bus Campaign supporting the Re-entry Policy, Mentorship and leadership programmes for girls, Evidence-based research and advocacy on education financing, child safeguarding, and digital safety, Community and learner engagement to promote gender-responsive and safer schools.

The organization is urging Government, Parliament, cooperating partners, and the private sector to Introduce a ring-fenced GBV supplementary budget line in the 2026 Education and Skills Sector budget, Strengthen safeguarding systems in schools.

ZANEC emphasized that ending GBV—both online and offline—is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and ensuring safe, inclusive, and quality education for all learners. The coalition reiterated its commitment to advocating for systems that protect and empower children across Zambia.