Zambian Military Strives to Halt Gender-Based Violence

A regional office for innovative gender-based violence solutions in Southern Africa is in the works, according to the Zambian Defense Force (ZDF).

That was just one product of a workshop in Lusaka from September 23 to October 2 that sought to boost ZDF and regional capabilities to combat gender-based violence (GBV).

The ZDF hosted regional military officials in the weeklong workshop as part of its partnership with United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) to address GBV.

At the event’s conclusion, ZDF Staff Sgt. Kalumbi Esther thanked participants for working to build and strengthen regional initiatives.

“The knowledge and expertise shared during the workshop deepened our understanding of GBV and its relevance to the operational effectiveness of the Zambia Defence Force,” she said in a statement.

The workshop, part of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) initiative, featured sessions on empathy, implicit bias and trauma-informed care. The ZDF also drafted a GBV policy framework to build its capacity to protect women from violence, sexual assault and harassment.

It is critical that the military workplace be free of gender-based harassment, workshop participant ZDF Maj. Stephen Muleya said.

“When individuals know that they can perform their duties without the threat of harassment or violence, they are more likely to focus fully on their missions,” he said, according to Voice of America. “We must actively cultivate an atmosphere where everyone can thrive free from fear and intimidation.”

Along with Zambia, Botswana’s military also is taking part in the effort to strengthen regional initiatives against sexual assault and held a WPS workshop in August.

A widespread problem on the continent, gender-based violence includes rape, sexual harassment, domestic violence and trafficking. It has become a priority issue for several African militaries, as GBV undermines trust in institutions and impacts economic development.

According to the World Bank, 42% of women in Eastern and Southern Africa experience physical or sexual violence, often inhibiting participation in education and the workforce and costing economies up to 4% of their gross domestic product.

“The Zambia Defense Force has shown extraordinary initiative, and it’s clear they are on the path to becoming a regional leader in this space,” Lt. Col. Linda Jones, chief of Africa Global Health Engagements for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, said in a statement.

“With every session, the ZDF continues to reinforce their capability to tackle these crucial issues, not just within their forces, but across society.”

Another participant, U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Samara Brown, said if GBV is not addressed it can hurt the execution of all manner of military tasks.

“Gender-based violence undermines the core values of any military organization,” she said in a statement. “It erodes trust, disrupts unity, cohesion and ultimately compromises mission readiness.

“We must take a firm stand against it, not just as a matter of policy but a commitment to uphold the principles of honor, integrity and respect that define our service.”

Col. Cynthia Chimpusa, ZDF director of civil-military cooperation, gave thanks for her country’s partnership with AFRICOM.

“We are honored to work alongside the U.S. team to strengthen our capabilities in addressing gender-based violence and sexual assault,” she said in a statement. “This partnership is a testament to our mutual commitment to protecting our communities.

“As we look ahead, we aim to expand the Sexual Assault Prevention Framework within the ZDF and establish a dedicated office to handle these matters.”

Zambian Air Force legal advisor Maj. Glory Musonda summed up the event and said it should result in solutions to GBV within the ZDF.

“We all have a responsibility to build military environments where respect and dignity are upheld,” she said, according to VOA. “It’s not enough to simply acknowledge the issue. We must actively work toward solutions that ensure the safety and well-being of every service member.”