Strengthening Women’s Voices: ZNWL Project Builds Capacity for Political Leadership in Kabwe, Mkushi, and Lusaka

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), with support from the Women and Girls Fund, has made significant strides in its mission to increase women’s representation and meaningful participation in leadership and decision-making processes.

During November and December 2025, ZNWL launched an ambitious project titled “Empowering Women for Effective Participation in Political Processes at Local and National Level.” The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of aspiring women leaders, enabling them to navigate the political landscape and assume leadership roles with confidence and competence.

The project is currently being implemented in Central and Lusaka Provinces, targeting three key districts: Kabwe, Mkushi, and Lusaka. These areas were strategically selected to ensure a mix of urban and rural contexts, allowing the project to address diverse challenges faced by women aspiring to leadership.

Since its inception, ZNWL has undertaken a series of strategic activities to lay a strong foundation for the project’s success. These include:

• Planning and Stakeholder Engagement: ZNWL has convened planning meetings in all target areas, bringing together local leaders, community representatives, and key duty bearers to build consensus and ensure the project aligns with community needs and aspirations.

• Capacity Building of ZNWL Membership Structures: To ensure sustainability, the project has strengthened the capacity of ZNWL’s own membership structures in the target districts, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to support aspiring women leaders at the grassroots level.

• Training for Aspiring Female Leaders: ZNWL has conducted intensive capacity-building trainings for identified aspiring female leaders, covering areas such as public speaking, campaign strategy, policy advocacy, and navigating political systems.

• Rapid Survey Assessment: A rapid survey assessment was undertaken to understand the situational analysis of women’s participation in leadership and decision-making in the target districts. The findings will inform project implementation and ensure interventions are evidence-based and responsive to local realities.

The project is structured around three core focus areas:

1. Capacity Building of Potential Women Aspiring Leaders: Equipping women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enter and thrive in political spaces.

2. Advocacy and Engagement of Key Duty Bearers and Political Leaders: Engaging with political parties, government officials, and other decision-makers to create an enabling environment for women’s leadership.

3. Building Community Support for Women’s Leadership: Profiling women leaders, leveraging radio programmes, and conducting community engagements to shift perceptions and build grassroots support for women in leadership.

Through these interventions, ZNWL is not only preparing women to lead but also working to transform the systems and attitudes that have historically excluded them. The project represents a critical step toward a future where women’s voices are not only heard but also shape the policies and decisions that affect their communities.

As the project continues to unfold, ZNWL remains committed to its vision of a Zambia where women and men participate equally in leadership and decision-making at all levels.

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