Objective 1: Promote access to justice for women and children;

Intervention:

�        Sensitize communities on laws relating to gender, GBV and those that promote empowerment of women and men in communities.

�        Provide legal advice to people in the community.

�        Provide strategic litigation to women and children.

  

Objective 2: Improve quality of services being provided by different service providers.

Interventions: 

�        Provide capacity building for service providers using appropriate approaches (specific/multi sectoral approaches).

�        Provide relevant materials and tools to enhance service provision.

 

Objective 3: Build the capacity of communities (women and men in Zambia to report cases of injustice/ abuse and ensure the cases go through the justice process

Intervention:

�        Train paralegals and provide them with relevant tools and materials to enhance service provision.

�        Sensitize Communities on human rights laws such as the Anti GBV Act No 1 of 2011, Intestate Succession Act chapter 59 of the Laws of Zambia.

�        Train traditional and faith leaders on gender and the law (customary and statutory). 

�        Interrogate customary by-laws to ensure conformity to human rights principles and statutory law.

�        Partner with other relevant stakeholders providing further services to the community.

Objective 1 -Lobby for implementation of gender sensitive laws and policies

Intervention:

•        Lobby and advocate for the speedy implementation of policies and enforcement of legislation.

•        Sensitize Communities in WLSAs targeted areas on the existing policies and legislation at the national level and by-laws at the community level.

•        Simplify and disseminate existing laws and policies.

 

Objective 2:  Lobby and advocate for the increase in the number of gender sensitive laws and legislation at the national level and by-laws at the community level.

Intervention:

•        Lobby and advocate for gender sensitive laws and legislation.

•        Engage Traditional leaders on the need to engender identified by-laws.

•        Enhance networking and collaboration between WLSA and other stakeholders.

Objective 1: Change negative norms and practices of traditional and church leaders.

Intervention:

•        Sensitize key stakeholders to gender and human rights principles in order to change negative social norms and practices.

•        Review and engender customary laws.

•        Undertake gender responsive research in all regions, on the various cultural practices, to inform law/policy formulation and review.

 

Objective 2: Engender party manifestos and constitutions

Intervention:

•        Lobby and advocate political parties to engender Party manifestos and Constitutions.

•        Build capacity of women to facilitate their participation in decision making at all levels.

 

Objective 3: Increase in the number of women aspiring for decision making positions at all levels of governance.

Intervention:

•        Advocate for a quota system in the political, public and private sectors in line with the SADC Gender Protocol of 50/50 parity.

•        Advocate for implementation of the Gender Equity and Equality Act. 

Objective 1: Conduct gender-responsive research on legal and social issues in Zambia.

Intervention:

•        Identify research issues.

•        Develop gender sensitive research proposals based on the identified issues and submit them to possible funders.

•        Conduct research and undertake a gender analysis of the research data

•        Disseminate research findings to relevant stakeholders

•        Identify strategic partners, programme activities, law and policy review informed by research findings.

 

Objective 2: Improve the research skills of researchers in Women and Law.

Intervention:

•        Identify and Build capacity of both women and men in gender sensitive research skills.

•        Develop a well-established gender focussed resource centre and depository of all research on gender and development (local, regional and international).

 

Objective 3: Explore and develop new methodologies and perspectives for the study of gender and the law.

Intervention:

•        Develop a learning space within WLSA (self-assessment of work done and how it informs the  future works)

•        Produce evidence-based publications.

•        Periodically carry out impact assessment of WLSA work.

•        Engage with learning and research institutions nationally, regionally and internationally to develop new methodologies.

•        Develop WLSA as a think tank.

To strengthen WLSA's internal governance and technical capacity to plan, implement, manage, monitor, and report progress on achieving its objectives.

Outcome 1: WLSA has strengthened capacity to plan, implement, manage, monitor and report progress.

Outcome 2: WLSA is sustainably running its programmes.

Outcome 3: Strengthened networks at national, regional and international level.

WOMEN AND LAW IN SOUTHERN AFRICA RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL TRUST (WLSA) ZAMBIA

Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) is a regional network operating in seven countries of southern Africa, namely Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The network strives to work towards improving the socio-economic, political and legal advancement of women through research and implementation of specific projects. WLSA Zambia was established in 1989 by a group of academics, gender activists, and researchers in response to the many socio-legal challenges that women were facing in the region. WLSA Zambia was first registered under the Registrar of Societies Act, Chapter 119 of the laws of Zambia, on 30 June 2004; following a change in legislation in 2009, the organization was registered under the NonGovernmental Organisation Act No.16 of 2009 under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. WLSA Zambia focuses on, among other issues, social justice, gender equality and equity; and the law, both customary and statutory. In the continued effort to improve the socio-economic, political and legal advancement of women, WLSA works on issues relating to disability, the environment, education and health, poverty reduction through empowerment of women, all anchored on the law and respect for human rights.

Lusaka, Chongwe, Rufunsa, Luangwa, Nyimba, Katete, Petauke, Chadiza, Chipata, Lundazi, Vubwi, Kafue, Chikankata, Mazabuaka, Monze, Choma, Livingstone, Gwembe Valley, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola, Luapula, Nsamfya, Mpika, Kasama, Mumbwa, NKeyema, Kaoma, Mongu, Kalabo, Sesheke, Senaga, Nakonde, Solwezi, Chama

A Zambia in which women and men, girls and boys have equal conditions, treatment and opportunities for realizing their full potential, human rights and dignity, and for contributing to (and benefitting from) economic, social, cultural and political development.

WLSA Zambia works towards the socio-economic, political, and legal advancement of women and children by increasing access to justice, undertaking research and lobbying; and advocating for changes to legislation, policies, and practices that discriminate against women.

Equality, Diversity, Dedication, Confidentiality, Transparency, Accountability, Innovation, and Excellence.

The development objective of WLSA-Zambia is to improve the legal status of women in southern Africa. This is done through the following activities:
•   Developing the research skills of women law researchers in the network countries;
•   Conducting research on gender issues in southern Africa, particularly those related to legal rights.
•   Providing information on gender and the law and influencing policy and law reforms in each country;
•   Networking and exchanging information between the seven countries;
•   Conducting training seminars on research and producing materials in the seven countries;
•   Exploring and developing new methodologies and new perspectives for the studies of gender and the law in the seven countries;
•   Cooperating and liaising with other organisations in each country, in the region and internationally which are interested in issues related to women and law.

  WLSA - team together with Woman Constable.Kaluba Handyabantu from Victim Support Unit (VSU) at Vubwi Police Station and Vubwi Nyanganya drama group conducted a Community Sensitisation in Chitumba Village with support from Ford Foundation through WLSA - Zimbabwe under Gender and Extractive project. The sensitisation aimed to address and raise awareness on Children's Rights, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Gender mainstreaming, Human Rights, Climate Change, Social, Tradition, Cultural issues and the Penal Code. Among the people who attended the sensitisation meeting, we were honoured by the presence by Induna Katchire, and Induna Mponda with their Headmen.     
#genderandextractives
#LeaveNoOneBehind
#fordfoundation

WLSA Zambia Project Officer - Matrine Hazyondo featured on "The Update" ZNBC TV1 program, where she was "ANALYSING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE TRENDS IN THE COUNTRY" ahead of 16 days of activism against GBV. This year, the 16 days of activism against GBV will be commemorated under the theme "Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls."  The theme seeks to shine a spotlight on the importance of financing different prevention strategies to stop violence from occurring and leverage key global normative and advocacy platforms to build momentum and collective efforts to prevent violence against women and girls.

WLSA Zambia recently attended the CAMFED annual general meeting, under the theme 'Government and stakeholder engagement: Imperative for effective support to girls' education, young women empowerment, and systems transformation. WLSA National Director, Sharon Williams, commended CAMFED for its notable achievements in supporting the empowerment of girls through education and for its flagship learner guide programme, which has significantly lowered the incidence of teen pregnancy and child marriage in some CAMFED supported schools. This is an important issue requiring concerted advocacy efforts to ensure more girls stay in school if we are to turn the tide of poverty.

WLSA project staff were in Chipata this week to support Question & Answer (Q&A), a child led initiative by facilitating a Gender and Gender mainstreaming orientation meeting. WLSA will also assist Q&A to develop a Gender Policy to enhance capacity of Q &A staff to mainstream gender in their work. The activity is supported by Save the Children under the SIDA PROGRAMME (2022-2026).   #16daysofactivismagainstgbv #EndViolence #InvestInEducation #NoExcuse

On 6th December 2023, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Africa team led by Mulesa Lumina (Legal and Communications Officer) and Wilson Macharia (Legal Advisor) paid a courtesy call on WLSA-Zambia. The objective was to discuss areas of operation and share ideas for a collaborative agenda. The discussion addressed human rights in general; disability and access to justice; the research agenda; and capacity building for stakeholders in the justice delivery system. As WLSA moves into a new strategic plan cycle, we are keen to expand our reach and adopt new methods of delivering on our objectives.   #AccesstoJustice #ICJ #WLSA-Zambia

WLSA-Zambia staff Catherine Lutele (Legal Assistant) conducted Mobile Legal Clinics with support from Ford Foundation through WLSA - Zimbabwe under Gender and Extractive project  in Katchire Village, Chigwe Village, Mbande Village, Chapuka Village, Songea Village and Vubwi Central areas, which aimed to provide free legal support on various cases that are affecting these communities to promote access to justice and legal assistance through referral system with Zambia Police, Victim Support Unit office. #Genderandextractives #LeaveNoOneBehind #fordfoundation

On the 7th December 2023, WLSA-Zambia attended the Natwampane Project close out meeting at Lusaka National Museum. Natwampane - Together To Stop sexual and gender-based violence is a Government -led,  European Union funded project that was  implemented in Luapula and Northern provinces of Zambia. WLSA Zambia was one of the implementing partners.   #16daysofactivismagainstgbv #EndViolence #InvestInEducation #NoExcuses

On 23rd December 2023, WLSA-Zambia and the Network on Ending Child Marriage in Zambia (NECMZ), with support from Save the Children under the SIDA CSO Programme (2022-2026), held a sensitisation meeting for children in Ng'ombe compound to raise awareness of the dangers and effects of child marriage and teen pregnancy. The sensitisation meeting was graced by a representative of Ng'ombe - Roma Ward Councilor, Mr Vernon Sachiya who thanked and commended NECMZ for the effort to sensitise and raise awareness on issues of teen pregnancy and child marriage among the children of Ng'ombe. He advised the children present of the importance of reporting any form of violation that may be committed against them or their friends. The NECMZ has been working closely with Canon Jackson Katete of St. Mathias Anglican Church in Ng'ombe and this is one of its interventions to share information and knowledge about child marriage and how to curb the vice.

Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) is a regional network operating in seven countries of southern Africa, namely Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The network strives to work towards improving the socio-economic, political and legal advancement of women through research and implementation of specific projects. WLSA Zambia was established in 1989 by a group of academics, gender activists, and researchers in response to the many socio-legal challenges that women were facing in the region. WLSA Zambia was first registered under the Registrar of Societies Act, Chapter 119 of the laws of Zambia, on 30 June 2004; following a change in legislation in 2009, the organization was registered under the NonGovernmental Organisation Act No.16 of 2009 under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. WLSA Zambia focuses on, among other issues, social justice, gender equality and equity; and the law, both customary and statutory. In the continued effort to improve the socio-economic, political and legal advancement of women, WLSA works on issues relating to disability, the environment, education and health, poverty reduction through empowerment of women, all anchored on the law and respect for human rights.