NGOCC Launches ‘Her Time Is Now’

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The new donation platform empowers women seeking political office by funding transport, campaign materials, and logistics to boost female representation ahead of the 2026 elections.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 — (6 February 2026) - The Non-Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has launched the “Her Time Is Now Donation Button”, a nationwide funding mechanism aimed at tackling financial barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in Zambia’s politics ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The donation button is part of the broader Her Time Is Now campaign, which seeks to provide transparent and accessible financial support to women aspiring for political office. It covers essential campaign costs, including transport, materials, and logistical support.

Speaking at the launch, NGOCC Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the initiative addresses the persistent underrepresentation of women in political leadership, despite women forming the majority of Zambia’s population and electorate.

“Women are the majority voters, the majority party members, and the majority campaigners, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making spaces,” Katebe said.

She added that structural, cultural, and financial barriers continue to disadvantage women at every stage of the political process.

“Political parties still adopt too few women candidates, provide limited campaign support, and favour those with access to money, further entrenching inequality,” Katebe said.

She described the donation button as an innovation that allows citizens, partners, and the private sector to support women’s political participation directly.

“If we are serious about democracy, we must be serious about financing women’s leadership,” Katebe said.

She also called on political parties to adopt more women candidates and urged aspiring MPs to mentor at least three women seeking local government positions, emphasizing that mentorship should be the norm, not the exception.

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NGOCC Executive Director Annie Anamela Mbewe highlighted that Zambia’s political representation does not reflect the country’s demographics, with women making up over 51 percent of the population.

“This imbalance is deeply concerning. At both national and local levels, women remain marginalised. They have the numbers, competence, and lived experience needed to govern,” Mbewe said.

She stressed that financing is the single most significant obstacle to women’s participation, especially for women with disabilities.

“These women have made the decision to participate, but what keeps coming up is not lack of interest or capacity, but lack of financial resources. That is why NGOCC launched this campaign—to directly confront that barrier,” she said.

Saboi Imboela

Saboi Imboela, Chairperson of Women in Politics, explained that systemic resource constraints filter women out long before election day.

“Women don’t have resources. High fees from political parties and the Electoral Commission, and campaigns that favour those with money, push women out at every stage,” Imboela said.

She noted that Zambia currently has only 12 percent women in Parliament and 7 percent women councillors.

“We have had enough capacity-building programs. What we want now are initiatives that allow us to campaign on the ground, to be visible, to show communities we are serious contenders,” Imboela said.

She stressed that women’s representation is vital for addressing issues affecting vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and rural communities.

Bwalya Chikufya, Chairperson of the Zambia National Association of Women with Disabilities, said women with disabilities must be included in political decision-making.

“Her time is now—even for women with disabilities. The Constitution guarantees equality, and Zambia is obligated under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Political parties must adopt women with disabilities. Disability does not disqualify anyone from leadership,” Chikufya said.

She added that accessibility in polling stations, campaign processes, and political services is essential for meaningful inclusion.

Nalishebo Siambo

Nalishebo Siambo, Chairperson of Young Women in Action, highlighted the transformative impact of young women leaders.

Drawing from her experience as a young woman from a district that produced one of Zambia’s youngest councillors at age 20, she said financial barriers prevent capable women from contesting elections.

“The donation button offers a practical solution. It helps level the playing field and ensures leadership is determined by competence, integrity, and vision—not financial capacity,” Siambo said.

Government welcomed the launch, with Henry Nkoma, Director of Gender in Development at the Office of the President, representing Gender Minister Doreen Mwamba.

Nkoma affirmed that women’s participation in political and public life is a constitutional right.

He noted that while Zambia has progressive legal frameworks, including a revised National Gender Policy, gaps remain between policy commitments and actual representation.

“Legislation and policies mean little unless translated into action. As we prepare for the 2026 general elections, the true test of our democracy will be who participates and who is represented,” Nkoma said.

He added that a democracy that excludes women cannot fully serve its people, emphasizing that empowering women strengthens the nation’s future.

Organisers said the Her Time Is Now donation button is expected to play a central role in mobilising public and private support to increase women’s representation in Parliament and local councils.

Stakeholders were urged to move from commitments to concrete action ahead of the 2026 polls.