Zambia

Population

• Total Population: Approximately 19 million (as of 2024)
• Gender Distribution: 50.3% female, 49.7% male
• Youth Population: Over 60% under the age of 25
• Urban vs Rural Distribution: 44% urban, 56% rural

Economic Landscape

• GDP: $27 billion (2023 estimate)
• Key Industries: Mining (copper), Agriculture, Tourism
• Women in Workforce: Approximately 65%, predominantly in agriculture and informal sectors
• Gender Pay Gap: Women earn on average 25% less than men

Challenges: Limited access to education and capital for women, high unemployment rates

Political Landscape

• Women’s Representation in Leadership:
  • Parliament: 18%
  • Local Government Leadership: Around 10% of councilors are women
• Challenges: Cultural norms, political underrepresentation, gender-based violence
• Key Policies Promoting Gender Equality:
  • National Gender Policy
  • Gender Equity and Equality Act

• Social and Cultural Context

  • Gender Norms and Cultural Attitudes:
    • Patriarchal society with traditional gender roles
    • Women often responsible for household and caregiving duties
  • Traditional Barriers:
    • Early marriages
    • Limited access to education for girls
    • Gender-based violence

• Gender Index Rankings

  • Global Gender Gap Index (2023): Ranked 137th out of 146 countries
  • Human Development Index (2023): 0.589 (Low human development)
  • Women’s Empowerment Index: Slow progress in political participation and education
  • Challenges Identified: High maternal mortality rates, economic disparities, limited political representation.