Women in Zambia

Women in Zambia
Zambian women
General Statistics
Maternal mortality (per 100,000)224 (2015)
Women in parliament18% (2018)
Women over 25 with secondary education39.2% (2010-2018)
Women in labour force70.8% (2018)
Gender Inequality Index
Value0.540 (2021)
Rank138th out of 191
Global Gender Gap Index
Value0.723 (2022)
Rank62nd out of 146

The status of women in Zambia has improved in recent years. Among other things, the maternal mortality rate has dropped and the National Assembly of Zambia has enacted multiple policies aimed at decreasing violence against women. However, progress is still needed. Most women have limited access to reproductive healthcare, and the total number of women infected with HIV in the country continues to rise. Moreover, violence against women in Zambia remains common. Child marriage rates in Zambia are some of the highest in the world, and women continue to experience high levels of physical and sexual violence.

Across nearly all gender-based indicators, there is a significant disparity between the quality of life of rural, less educated, and impoverished women and their urban counterparts.