NGOCC Welcomes Amendments, Urges Inclusivity

... The organization supports the proposed amendments but stresses the importance of ensuring diverse groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, are fully included in the process.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (24-03 -2025)– The Non-Governmental Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has welcomed the proposed constitutional amendments programme but has urged the government to ensure the process is transparent and inclusive to reflect the aspirations of all Zambians.

NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe told journalists at a media briefing that it was important to facilitate a broad consultative process with stakeholders before making definitive statements on the matter.

She noted that NGOCC, as an umbrella organization representing 111 non-governmental, community-based, and faith-based organizations, had convened a consultative meeting on March 29, 2025, in Lusaka to establish a collective position.

“At our membership consultative meeting, it was conclusively agreed that NGOCC, in principle, welcomes a national constitutional amendment process to provide for increased participation of women, youths, and persons with disabilities in politics,” Katebe said.

She emphasized that NGOCC has long advocated for a more inclusive composition of elected representatives at both parliamentary and local government levels.

To this end, the organization has proposed the adoption of a Mixed-Member Proportional Representation System, which would increase the representation of women, youths, and persons with disabilities in politics.

“It is clear that the current electoral system has not sufficiently leveled the political space to allow for inclusiveness,” she added.

Call for Transparency and Clear Roadmap

While acknowledging the potential benefits of constitutional amendments, Katebe stressed that the government must ensure the process is open, transparent, legitimate, and guided by a clear roadmap that includes extensive consultations with stakeholders.

“We feel that there is still a need for the government to ensure that the process is comprehensive and participatory to guarantee a more robust legal framework,” she stated.

She also called for a referendum to include an expanded Bill of Rights in the Zambian Constitution, arguing that such an addition would create stronger legal protections and allow for litigation on issues of equal participation in governance.

“As many will recall, during their time in opposition, the current ruling party strongly advocated for an improved Bill of Rights. We expect them to remain consistent in ensuring its inclusion,” Katebe said.

Call for Political Party Reforms

Katebe further advocated for the enactment of a Political Parties Act, which would legally compel political parties to submit inclusive candidate lists for elections.

She emphasized that this law should be complemented by reforms to the Electoral Commission Act, empowering the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to reject party nominations that do not reflect fair representation.

“This is an issue we also raised in our International Women’s Day speech on March 8. Ensuring that political parties adopt inclusive candidate lists is critical in addressing gender and social disparities in governance,” she stated.

Concerns Over Timeframe and Stakeholder Engagement

Katebe noted that previous constitutional review processes have often been marred by concerns over rushed timeframes and limited stakeholder engagement, urging the government to provide clarity on the proposed process and schedule.

“The primary concern among stakeholders has not necessarily been the need for constitutional amendments, but rather the timeframe and the extent of inclusivity in decision-making,” she explained.

She reiterated NGOCC’s commitment to participating in the process and called on all stakeholders—government, civil society, and citizens—to engage meaningfully to ensure a people-driven constitution that reflects Zambia’s democratic aspirations.

The government has yet to release a detailed roadmap for the proposed constitutional amendments, but stakeholders, including NGOCC, continue to push for a transparent, inclusive, and well-structured process.