Outrage in Mwandi

NGOCC Condemns Alleged Sexist and Violent Campaign Targeting Iris Kaingu

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 
Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (21-06-2026) -- The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned what it describes as sexist, degrading and violent campaign behaviour targeting independent parliamentary candidate Ms. Iris Kamwi Kaingu in Mwandi Constituency, Western Province.

NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the organisation is concerned by a circulating video allegedly showing members of the UPND Mwandi chapter singing a song that insults Ms. Kaingu and promotes violence against her. She said the conduct amounts to Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE).

Ms. Katebe said the behaviour violates constitutional rights to dignity and political participation, as well as Zambia’s obligations under international and regional instruments, including CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol.

She urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to act under the Electoral Code of Conduct and ensure those responsible are sanctioned without regard to political affiliation. 

She added that the Commission must demonstrate effective enforcement of its gender equality and social inclusion policy.

Ms. Katebe also called on the UPND leadership to discipline any members linked to the alleged conduct and questioned reports that perpetrators may have been rewarded. 

She further urged the Zambia Police Service to investigate possible incitement to violence.

She said NGOCC stands with Ms. Kaingu and will not remain silent on violence against women in politics, warning that such conduct undermines democracy and discourages women’s participation in elections.

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