LUSAKA – Lifeline-Childline Zambia has officially launched the Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE) Helpline under the theme “Women Deserve Safe Elections,” aimed at addressing rising cases of abuse targeting women in the electoral process ahead of the August 2026 General Elections.
Speaking during the launch, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Regional Director Won Young Hong expressed concern over the growing trend of violence against women in elections, particularly in digital spaces.
Ms. Hong said online violence—including misinformation, disinformation, digital threats, and cyberbullying—is deliberately designed to discourage women candidates, voters, and their supporters from fully participating in democratic processes.
She noted that following the 2021 General Elections in Zambia, women occupy only 15 percent of seats in the National Assembly, despite constituting more than 51 percent of the country’s population.
Citing a 2021 report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the African Parliamentary Union (APU), Ms. Hong said 42 percent of women parliamentarians in Africa reported receiving threats of death, rape, beating, or abduction—often through social media platforms.
“Perhaps the greatest danger of VAWE has been its invisibility,” Ms. Hong said. “Much of this abuse happens behind closed doors or on digital screens, creating a chilling risk of normalization. Offering a safe space to report VAWE through the Lifeline-Childline Helpline is key to uncovering the full dimensions of this issue in Zambia.”
Also speaking at the event, Lifeline-Childline Zambia Executive Director Florence Nkhuwa described the helpline as a critical intervention to ensure women facing electoral violence are supported.
Ms. Nkhuwa revealed that during the 2021 election period, the organization recorded a noticeable rise in reports of incidents affecting women that were linked to electoral activities. These included intimidation, harassment, and other forms of mistreatment that created barriers to women’s full participation.
She added that with the August 2026 elections approaching, similar patterns are already emerging, particularly during the adoption process within political parties. Women aspiring for public office continue to face financial barriers, sexual harassment and abuse, body shaming, and other forms of discrimination that hinder their participation.
Officiating at the launch, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Director for Gender in Development Henry Nkhoma emphasized that addressing violence against women in elections requires coordinated action from all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, political parties, and citizens.
The VAWE Helpline is expected to provide confidential reporting channels, psychosocial support, and referral services, strengthening efforts to ensure that women can participate in the 2026 General Elections safely and without fear.
By Samuel Mbewe
Some Picture below during the launch
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