Zambia reports 42,178 Gender-Based Violence cases in 2024, representing 1.8% drop over 2023 figures

A total of 42,178 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases were reported in Zambia in 2024, showing a 1.8 percent decrease from the 42,965 cases reported in 2023, with Lusaka Province recording the highest number of incidents.

Lusaka Province reported 7,152 cases, representing 27.1 percent of the total, followed by Copperbelt with 12.4 percent and Western Province with 11.5 percent.

According to Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, Tazara Division recorded the lowest number of cases, with just 116 or 0.4 percent of the total.

Of the total reported cases, 26,402 were criminal, while 15,776 were non-criminal. Notably, 10,220 children, or 24 percent of all victims, were affected—comprising 2,006 boys and 5,653 girls in the criminal category.

The gender breakdown of victims showed that 32,904 females (78 percent) and 9,274 males (22 percent) were impacted.

Among the victims, 25,620 were women (61 percent) and 6,338 were men (15 percent).

Physical abuse cases stood at 14,239, representing 54 percent of all GBV cases, reflecting a 16.5 percent decrease from 2023, which recorded 16,588 cases.

“11,996 Assault OABH cases (84 percent) were reported, with Lusaka Province leading at 2,924 cases (24.4 percent ),” Hamoonga noted.

Economic abuse cases were recorded at 6,891 (16.3 percent ), marking a 3.2 percent reduction from 2023’s 7,121 cases.

In response, a total of 32,031 individuals, including both victims and offenders, received counseling through the Victim Support Unit (VSU). Of these, 18,278 (57 percent) were criminal cases, while 13,753 (43 percent ) were non-criminal.

Hamoonga further revealed that 3,321 victims were referred to support organizations, including local courts, the YWCA, and NLACW.

He assured the public of the police’s commitment to addressing GBV through intensified awareness campaigns, improved community policing, and continued collaboration with stakeholders.

Hamoonga urged all citizens to report GBV cases and support efforts aimed at eradicating this societal vice.

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