United in the Fight Against Gender Based Violence: 16 Days of Activism against GBV in Natural Resource Management

By Women’s Land and Resource Rights (WLR²) Platform 

“One woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes”
United Nations 2024.

This is an alarming reminder of the escalating global crisis of gender-based violence (GBV). In Zambia, GBV cases surged by 28% in 2023, with 42,965 incidents reported. The Natural Resource Management (NRM) sector, deeply rooted in rural areas, remains particularly vulnerable to GBV due to entrenched social norms that perpetuate gender inequalities and violence. These norms restrict women’s decision-making, limit access to resources, and expose them to abuse, including economic and physical violence. Women also face limited job opportunities in male-dominated sectors, burdened by family responsibilities and insufficient spousal or family support. During the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, the Women’s Land and Resource Rights (WLR²) Platform urges greater attention and action to address GBV in Zambia’s NRM sectors.

Traditional and systemic barriers, including cultural norms, discriminatory policies, and unequal access to resources exacerbate gender-based violence in Zambia’s NRM sector. These barriers disproportionately affect women and girls, limiting their participation in and benefits from NRM while increasing their vulnerability to GBV. Despite the supportive legal & policy framework for promoting gender equality in Zambia, such as the 2011 Anti-Gender Based Violence Act, the 2015 Gender Equity and Equality Act and the 50-50 land allocation policy, only 22% of women are estimated to own land under state tenure. Most of the customary land is controlled by male-dominated traditional leadership systems. In fisheries, women are often coerced into exchanging sexual favors for access to fish, a practice known as “sex-for-fish,” which is common in Western Province and other regions. Similarly, with a representation of only 10% in community governance and 17%, community scouts’ women in wildlife law enforcement, face threats, including violence from poachers and workplace harassment​. This stems from deeply ingrained power imbalances and economic dependence between men and women working in the NRM.

Established in 2023, the WLR² Platform aims to address women’s challenges and promote their role in NRM management in Zambia. Supported by USAID Integrated Land and Resource Governance II (ILRG II) the platform works with over 100 trained champions, to empower women and promote gender-responsive approaches. This is aimed at increasing women’s representation and access benefits in land and natural resource management. Between 2020 and 2022, ILRG worked with 25 government, civil society organizations (CSO’s), and private organizations to provide tools and capacity building to advance gender equality and address GBV in NRM. This support from USAID ILRG II program and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will unite to officially launch the WLR² platform with the aim to continue empowering women in land NRM and promoting their rights.

The platform is actively raising awareness and supporting advocacy on the rights of women and girls in NRM sector as part of the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, emphasizing its link to land and resource rights. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign running from November 25 to December 10. It is aimed at raising awareness and promoting action against violence targeting women and girls. The campaign spans over several key dates, 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women), 29 November (International Women Human Rights Defenders Day), 1 December (World AIDS Day), 3 December (International Day for the Disabled), and 10 December (International Human Rights Day). As part of this global movement, WLR² will amplify voices, and challenge systemic barriers, as part of their long-term drive to meaningful change for women’s empowerment and safety in NRM.

Many gender and women’s rights champions have already shared their messages as part of the WLR² Platform 16 Days of Activism. Voices from the field include Samantha Munang’andu, RISE Project Coordinator at Action Aid Zambia, Maina Malaya, WCP Communications Officer and Monje Sabela Siyeni, Women’s Land and Resource Rights Platform Coordinator. The champions shared their challenges, success and commitments to fighting GBV in NRM and had the following to say.

“GBV is not just physical. It affects every aspect of a woman’s life, lowering her self-esteem, hampering her performance in leadership roles, and denying her economic opportunities. By championing the rights of women, I shine light on the critical need for GBV prevention in the fisheries sector.” Samantha Munang’andu, Action Aid

“Zambia’s wildlife management has made strides in addressing GBV by increasing women’s participation in roles like community scouts and conservation leaders. However, cultural resistance and limited access to leadership positions hinder progress and perpetuate GBV risks. During these 16 days of activism, I recommit to creating safe spaces for women, equipping them to excel in their roles, and fostering understanding among men to support women as indispensable allies” Maina Malaya, Wildlife Crime Prevention

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“Gender based violence affects both women and men, but when GBV is related to land, it’s about the livelihoods of majority Zambians women and their children. Land belongs to men, they have the power, but women lack the power to own and combined with discriminatory rules and harmful social and gender norms, at the risk of experiencing gender-based violence heightened. They are denied inheritance rights, evicted from their land, threatened, or have land forcibly taken away. They stay in abusive relationships to have access to land and often experience sexual violence that is also used as a means of control over the land resource. Am standing up for women!” Monje Sabela Siyeni, WLR² Platform

Their words resonate with many women who continue to fight against systemic violence while championing sustainable natural resource management practices. This year’s 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign marks the Platform’s inaugural engagement with the NRM sector, aiming to highlight GBV issues and foster collaboration among organizations to share experiences. Women’s rights champions and allies are invited to share their GBV stories and the challenges of addressing it within the sector. These narratives will amplify survivors’ voices, inspire advocates, and drive collective action toward a more inclusive and equitable future. Share your story and be part of the change. With Zambia’s abundant natural resources, let’s unite to support inclusive and sustainable development. Together we can fight against gender-based violence! GBV is a crisis needing your urgent attention! #NoExcuse