Women of Zambia

Women of Zambia

Brief History

The territory of Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. British rule ended in 1963, when the federation dissolved. Then, Northern Rhodesia got its independence in 1964 and took the name Zambia, after the Zambezi River.

The flag of Zambia

Social Conditions

59% of the population has access to clean water. There is one doctor available for 10.375 inhabitants. Out of 1000 new-born, 200 die before the age of 5. Approx. 65% of all women and 81% of all men are able to read and write.

The life expectancy is 46.8% for women and 45.4% for men. It is estimated that about 1/3rd of the city population between 20 and 45 is HIV-positive or suffers from outbreak of AIDS. The figure is estimated to be 15% in the rural areas.

Women in Zambia

Violence against women remains a serious problem. Wife beatings and rapes are prevalent. Also, women continue to experience discrimination. Both the Constitution and the law entitle women to equality with men in most areas; however, in practice women are disadvantaged severely in formal employment and education compared with men.

Women have little independent access to credit facilities; in most cases, they remain dependent on their husbands who are required to co-sign for loans. As a result, few women own their own homes. However, some small financial institutions reportedly allow women to sign independently for loans.

Why Zambia?

I chose to do this website about Zambia because I am not familiar with the country, so I would like to learn more. Zambia seems like an intriguing place, and I am interested in exploring the issues that are facing Zambian women.

Quick Facts

Zambia is situated in the Southern part of the African continent, in the region between the Equator and the tropic of Capricorn. Zambia is landlocked and surrounded by eight countries.

If comparing Zambia, it is the total area of France, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary! It is situated exactly half way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Lusaka is the capital of Zambia.

The population of Zambia is just under nine million eight hundred thousand. English is the official language but around seventy languages are spoken. The climate is tropical. Zambia's terrain consists of high plateau with some hills and mountains.

Zambia has excellent national parks as well as the spectacular Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. Apart from sightseeing, there are places that are centers for a range of activities ranging from canoeing to white-water rafting and bungee jumping.

Economy

Zambia has a dual economy consisting of a modern and urban-oriented sector and a rural agricultural sector. Copper and cobalt mining are the country's main economic activities.

Unemployment and underemployment are serious problems. Per capita annual incomes are currently at about one-half their levels at independence, and at $302, this places Zambia as a poor and developing nation.

Zambia's economic growth remains below the 5% to 7% necessary to reduce poverty significantly.

The country's rate of economic growth cannot support rapid population growth or the strain which HIV/AIDS related issues (i.e., rising medical costs, decline in worker productivity) places on government resources.