WIDNet

Zambia National Women's Lobby

Who we are

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) is a non-governmental organisation seeking to get more women into decision-making positions by creating awareness among policy makers on gender issues. The ZNWL also lobbies Government and other institutions to set up structures that end discrimination of women.

Mission Statement

The mission of the ZNWL is to promote women’s equal representation and participation in decision-making at all levels through advocacy, lobbying and capacity building for all women in Zambia.

Formation

The ZNWL was formed in 1991 by women from different non-governmental organisations and political parties who were concerned about the discrimination against women and poor representation in Government and other public offices.

Why the Lobby was formed

Although the statistics on population are changing, now showing decline in the number of women in Zambia, women have for a long time constituted more than half of the population. Women have also contributed greatly to the well-being of the Zambian Society and have played critical roles in agriculture, trade, health, education, shelter, household food, energy and security which have led to the development of this nation. The women of Zambia also side by side with men folk, suffered the indignities of colonial rule, struggled valiantly until the nation of Zambia was born.

But despite women’s predominance in the Zambian population, despite their contribution to the development of this nation and their contribution to independence struggle, gender imbalances in favour of men have been prevalent in all spheres of life. They exist in Zambia’s economical, social, cultural and political spheres.

The promise of equality, freedom and fair play for women has actually been neglected by continued existence of laws, regulations, traditions, practices and customs which discriminate against women and above all, women have over the years been poorly represented in the decision-making positions in the economics, political, social and administrative spheres. Latest statistics of women in decision-making still indicate that the number of women is still far below those of men in public institutions.

These imbalances have prevented women from effectively contributing to and benefiting from the developmental process, yet they have effectively participated in the struggle for independence and in the democratisation process.

The women of Zambia continue to bear the brunt of the economic crisis and decreasing resources despite being primarily responsible for bringing up children who constitute the future of the country.

It was against this background that ZNWL was formed.

Objectives

o To promote equal participation and representation of women and men in decision-making in all spheres at national and community levels through advocacy, lobbying and capacity building
o To cultivate and promote a culture of gender equality and equity, and respect for human rights of women through advocacy, lobbying and education
o To build the capacity of the Women’s Lobby to implement its programmes effectively at national and chapter levels through an increase in membership, training and resource mobilisation
o To network and share information on women and decision-making with other NGOs and individuals at local, national, regional and international levels through exchange visits, publications, internet and other functions

Programmes

Since formation, ZNWL’s major agenda has always centred on raising the status of women and addressing their unequal representation and participation in decision-making. The ZNWL has been involved in capacity building, lobbying, advocacy, information and networking programmes, both at community, national and international levels. Below are some of the programmes conducted by the ZNWL:

o Advocacy and lobbying government, political party and community leaders
o Capacity building for female aspiring candidates
o Civic education on civil, political and constitutional matters
o Women in politics
o Men’s network
o Monitoring and observing elections
o Community debates
o Monthly discussions on national and topical issues
o Women’s Campaign Support Fund
o Radio and television programmes
o Information dissemination through publications
o Networking

Chapters

As a way of incorporating the grassroots women into decision-making, the ZNWL has chapters in all the nine provinces.

Membership

Membership is open to all women, girls and gender-sensitive men committed to fight for the equal representation of women in decision-making at all levels and in all spheres.

The Establishment

The ZNWL is spearheaded by a ten-member Executive Board elected at a General Assembly every two years. The National office is run by the Executive Director, Programme Officers and Administrative staff.

The ZNWL has also established provincial offices in Western (Mongu), Eastern (Chipata) and Copperbelt (Kitwe). These offices are run by Provincial Programme Officers who are part of the secretariat.

Contact Address

National Office
14 Mushemi Road
Off Lubu road, Longacres
P.O.Box 30342
Lusaka, Zambia

Tel: +260 1 255153/ 251514
Fax: +260 1 254450
E-mail: nwlg@zamnet.zm
Website: www.womenslobby.org.zm

Eastern Province Office
NPF Building
Ground Floor, Room 15
P.O. Box 511162
Chipata, Zambia
Tel: +260 6 222152

Copperbelt Office
Mutondo House, Room 136
Independence Avenue
Kitwe, Zambia
Tel: +260 2 224374

Western Province Office
NPF Building
5th Floor, Room 15
P.O. Box 910234
Mongu, Zambia
Tel: +260 7 221266