Ubuchingo – Defence for Children Zambia
“Ubuchingo” is a word in Bemba, a local Zambian language meaning protection. In 2009, a few professional women started a small association in Northern Province to speak up against child sexual abuse, which had become a huge problem in their area. The women not only spoke for the girls and young women but also provided legal help and support to the victims. After many years of interventions, the association received an overwhelming response and recognition. They then decided to take on a more significant challenge by registering the association. Ubuchingo then joined and became a member of Defence for Children International and became Ubuchingo Defence For Children – Zambia.
Ubuchingo’s work focuses mainly on justice for children, ending violence against children, and children on the move, including trafficking, disability, child participation and the right to play.
Contact: Precious Mwenya Mwango
Phone: +260 763 718 508
Address: Plot 78/BB Off Great North Road, Kabangwe, Lusaka
Email: DCI-Zambia@defenceforchildren.org
Website: http://www.defenceforchildren.org/
Zambian law forbids marriage below the age of 21, but many girls end up being married earlier, some as young as 13 years of age. Obtaining reliable data on child marriage is difficult, but estimates show that 31% of Zambian women are married before the age of 18.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has embarked on a programme of ending child and forced marriages. In April 2016, its Ministry of Gender, in partnership with stakeholders and with the support of UNFPA, UNICEF, UKAID and the Government of Canada, published a National Strategy on Ending Child Marriage for the period 2016-2021.
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Age of sexual consent in 18 years. The national legislation does not provide for any close-in-age exemption.
Analysis of country legislation on age of sexual consent, 2024
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Active extraterritoriality is recognized for SEC related offences provided that double criminality is fulfilled under Section 6(1) of the Penal Code Act. Active extraterritoriality (including ordinary residents of Zambia) is recognized for trafficking offences and does not require double criminality under Section 99.1.a of the Human Trafficking Act. Passive extraterritoriality (excluding victims who are habitual residents) is recognized for trafficking offences and does not require double criminality under Section 99.1.b of the Human Trafficking Act.
Extraditable offences are those punished with at least one year of imprisonment under the Penal Code Act, as established in Sections 4 and 17 of the Extradition Act. Trafficking offences, CSAM-related offences and child solicitation are also considered extraditable offences under Section 95 of the Human Trafficking Act and Section 84 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act. Double criminality is required for extradition in all instances except for trafficking offences, under Section 95 of the Human Trafficking Act. Zambian citizens shall not be extradited unless relevant extradition provisions dictate otherwise under Section 34 of the Extradition Act.”
Penal Code Act of Zambia, Human Trafficking Act, Cyber Security and Cyner Crimes Act, Extradition Act, 1931 (status as of 2022), 2008, 2021, 1968
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