The Safety of Girls in Zambia: Muffled Voices and Silent Cries.
- Subilo Malema
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Our safety has never been a priority, and it shows. Alarming reports of children and girls being violated flood in, yet all we hear are empty words—no action, no urgency, no affirmative measures. Just words. And not encouraging ones.
The 2024 Q4 reports paint a grim reality of violence against women and girls, and yet nothing substantial has been done to deter offenders. Here are the hard facts:
12,378 reported Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, 2,666 children reportedly affected, 7,678 women affected, 976 cases taken to court, 205 convictions secured, 3,168 cases still under investigation and 2,276 cases closed at various police stations.
That’s an average of 6 cases reported every hour, yet only 205 convictions. A slap in the face of survivors. This data only reinforces the deep mistrust in the justice system.
And as if things weren’t bad enough, 2025 has already been one triggering story after another. Women organized a march to demand justice, to scream for safer environments. The authorities, citing the Public Order Act, denied the request, claiming “it will draw too much attention to the issue.” But isn’t that the whole point? To bring attention to the injustice? Are we not part of this society? Are we subhumans? Do our cries not matter? Must we only speak when it pleases those in power? Are we not entitled to redress?
To make matters worse, some of the few female leaders we have are pandering to patriarchy with misogynistic statements. In response to the rise in child sexual abuse, our Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune, declared: “Leave the children, we your agemates are available.” And our Vice President, in an attempt to praise government efforts, stated that pregnant women are now receiving money under a policy she referred to as “Imita Ufole”—loosely translated as “Get pregnant and get paid.”
Madam Minister of Justice, are women volunteering to be raped? Are we willingly being stripped of our dignity? Instead of focusing on harsher punishments for offenders and creating safer environments, your solution is to offer up your fellow women? And Madam Vice President, are you aware that teenage pregnancy is at crisis levels? That many of these young girls are being impregnated by predatory men masquerading as husbands? Imagine a girl in rural Zambia, in a family struggling with poverty, hearing your words. Do you realize how many will see pregnancy as a way out of their struggles? Over 60% of Zambia’s population lives below the poverty line—how do you think your words are influencing young girls?
Our leaders are failing us. And what’s even sadder is that it is women in power failing other women and girls. Where does that leave us? Our policymakers don’t care. Our local leaders don’t care. Law enforcement would rather we stay silent.
So who do we turn to? What’s the next step?
Community collaboration. We must come together, share resources, and support one another. Let’s collaborate with organizations fighting for the same cause.
SAFIGI currently offers a safety education course focusing on internal safety , equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to tackle urgent safety concerns. We also have a resource list of organizations that provide services like safe housing, counselling, and legal support.
Please remember: You are not alone. It was never your fault. The problem is not what you wear, where you go, or who you are with. The problem is rapists. The problem is a system that enables them.
And we will not stay silent. Not now. Not ever.
Subilo Kapulile Malema is a Feminist Policy Advocate | Dismantling Patriarchy Through Gender Law & Advocacy | SRHR | Governance | Youth & Intersectional Justice| Inclusive Education Systems Advocate.
She is a passionate advocate for gender equality, human rights with a strong focus on feminist ideals, social justice, and Youth and Social Inclusion. Her strength lies in ensuring the safety, rights, and leadership of young women and girls, especially in areas like Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Climate Justice, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). she believes in the power of intersectional approaches that consider race, class, gender, age, and disability to drive meaningful change.
Comentarios