Zambia Official Flags Sextortion in Candidate Selection Ahead of Election

Allegations that female political aspirants in Zambia are being pressured into providing sexual favours in exchange for party adoption have drawn formal condemnation from both government officials and interparty bodies, raising concerns about electoral integrity ahead of the August 13 general election.

Mainga Kabika, head of the gender division in the president’s office, said she had received multiple complaints from women seeking nomination. “I can confirm to you right now that I am actually receiving a lot of messages… they are reporting that they are already being asked for sexual favours in exchange for adoption,” she said, urging victims to document and report cases.

The allegations prompted a response from the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID). Executive Director Doreen Njovu-Kabwe said the organization had “taken note of the serious concerns raised” and added: “we strongly condemn any form of exploitation, harassment, or abuse targeting women in politics.”

She warned that such practices “undermine democratic values, erode public trust in political institutions, and perpetuate gender inequality.”

The issue centers on candidate selection processes within political parties, a critical gateway to electoral participation. Kabika did not name specific parties but indicated that complaints were already on record, suggesting a pattern rather than isolated incidents.

The intervention by ZCID, a body focused on interparty coordination, signals concern that such practices could affect broader electoral credibility.

The timing is significant, with Zambia preparing to elect a president, members of parliament, councillors, and council chairs on August 13/2026.

The allegations reflect entrenched disparities in political representation. Women account for approximately 15% of Zambia’s MPs, a figure cited as evidence of systemic exclusion.

A previous government statement attributed this imbalance to “deep-rooted cultural and structural barriers.”

The disparity extends beyond parliament. Women hold 28% of civil service director roles, while only 5 out of 36 chief executives in state-owned enterprises are female, underscoring limited access to leadership positions across institutions.

Civil society actors describe the alleged practices as “sextortion,” a form of corruption combining abuse of power with sexual exploitation. Beauty Katebe, chair of the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council, said the situation is “very troubling as it discourages many women from participating in politics.”

She emphasized that underreporting remains a challenge due to stigma and fear of embarrassment, calling for legal reforms and fast-track courts to address such cases. “If they were being exposed, they would definitely stop,” she said.

Kabika’s appeal to prosecutors to record and pursue cases reflects an effort to shift the issue from informal complaints to formal accountability mechanisms.

With the August 13 election approaching, the allegations highlight vulnerabilities in internal party systems that shape candidate access. The convergence of official warnings and interparty condemnation suggests growing institutional awareness of the issue.

At stake is not only gender representation but also confidence in the fairness of political competition. The reported practices, if substantiated, risk reinforcing existing inequalities while undermining trust in electoral processes during a critical political cycle.