A CALL TO ORDER

Gender body says dragging family members into political battles amounts to gendered political violence

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka,  Zambia24, 28 July 26 – The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has called on political parties and their leaders to exercise restraint and uphold civility on the campaign trail as Zambia heads towards the 13th August General Elections.

The gender advocacy body says political leaders must focus their campaigns on policies, leadership records and national issues instead of resorting to personal attacks involving family members of political opponents, following remarks attributed to President Hakainde Hichilema during recent campaign rallies in Mazabuka which NGOCC says appeared to draw the elderly mother of Mazabuka Central aspiring parliamentary candidate Gary Nkombo into political attacks against her son.

NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said such conduct crossed the boundaries of acceptable political engagement, arguing that individuals who are not candidates should not be dragged into electoral battles.

“Zambia’s democracy is built on robust debate. Candidates must be free to challenge one another’s records, policies and conduct. That is the essence of competitive politics,” Ms Katebe said.

“But there is a clear difference between vigorous political contestation and dragging an innocent, elderly woman who holds no public office into the fray. The elderly mother is not a candidate. She did not seek public scrutiny, and she deserves none,” she added.

Ms Katebe said the issue went beyond political etiquette, warning that women connected to political figures are often targeted as a way of attacking their relatives.

She said mothers, wives and daughters of politicians are frequently turned into soft targets to wound their male relatives, exposing them to public ridicule, online abuse and, in some cases, genuine safety risks.

“This is a form of gendered political violence, and NGOCC will not stay silent when it happens, regardless of who the perpetrator is,” Ms Katebe said.

NGOCC has since urged President Hichilema and all political leaders across the political divide to redirect campaign messages towards issues affecting citizens, including job creation, the cost of living, agriculture, healthcare, education and national development.

The organisation said Zambians deserve an election campaign centred on ideas and solutions rather than attacks against family members who have not sought political office.

“Zambians deserve a campaign of ideas, not insults aimed at family members who never sought the podium,” Ms Katebe said.