Chawama Vacancy Worries NGOCC




Organisation warns of shrinking space for women in politics

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (29 November 2025) -- The vacancy declared in the Chawama parliamentary seat has raised concern within the Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), which says the development highlights a growing worry about the shrinking space for women in politics.

Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti announced the nullification of the seat previously held by Tasila Lungu after Members of Parliament voted in line with Article 72(2)(c) of the Constitution.

NGOCC chairperson Beauty Katebe said the removal of a woman-held seat comes at a time when female representation in Parliament remains low, noting that Zambia has historically struggled to increase the number of women in elected office.

She added that the circumstances leading to the vacancy have resulted in a further reduction of women in the National Assembly, deepening existing concerns over gender imbalance.

With the Speaker beginning the process of notifying the Electoral Commission of Zambia of the vacancy under Article 72(8), a by-election will now be scheduled for Chawama.

NGOCC has urged political parties to field female candidates in the upcoming by-election, saying deliberate action is needed if Zambia is to make meaningful progress in improving women’s political representation.

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