Reform Advocacy Department

While our other departments support survivors and pursue justice case-by-case, the Reform Advocacy Department works to fix the broken systems themselves. We target the root causes of injustice by driving changes in national laws, policies, and institutional practices. Our mission is to create a Zambia where the legal and social frameworks proactively prevent sexual violence and protect every citizen.

We don’t just work within the system, we aim to change it.

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Our Core Advocacy Focus Areas

1. 📜 Legislative & Policy Reform

We draft, champion, and lobby for stronger, survivor-centered laws.

• Enacting a separate sexual offences Act: Advocating for stricter penalties, clearer definitions, and stronger victim protections.

• Campaigning for a National Sexual Offenders Registry: A public, accessible database to prevent re-offending and increase community safety.

• Advocating for Fast-Track SGBV Courts: To reduce case backlogs and ensure timely justice for survivors.

• Legal Aid Expansion: Pushing for increased government funding and coverage for survivors of sexual violence.

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2. 🏛️ Institutional Accountability & Strengthening

We engage directly with government bodies to improve how systems function.

• Technical Working Group Membership: Active participation in national bodies like the Child Justice Forum and GBV Technical Committee.

• Shadow Reporting & Monitoring: Submitting alternative reports to Parliament, the Human Rights Commission, and international treaty bodies (e.g., CEDAW) on Zambia’s compliance with SGBV commitments.

• Public Accountability Sessions: Organizing dialogues between survivors, communities, and duty-bearers.

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3. 📢 Strategic Public Campaigns & Coalition Building

We mobilize citizen power to demand change.

• National Campaigns: Leading coalitions for movements like #JusticeForSurvivorsZM and #SafeSchoolsNow.

• Citizen Petitions & Action Alerts: Mobilizing thousands to sign petitions and contact their MPs on key legislation.

• High-Level Policy Dialogues: Convening stakeholders, researchers, and media to shape the national agenda.

• Strategic Litigation: Supporting landmark cases that challenge unconstitutional laws or set protective precedents.

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4. 📊 Research & Evidence-Based Advocacy

We ground our demands in rigorous data and survivor voices.

• Annual “State of SGBV in Zambia” Report: The nation’s leading independent audit of legal gaps, implementation failures, and progress.

• Action Research: Studies on bail outcomes for sexual offenders, case attrition rates, and survivor experiences within the justice system.

• Policy Briefs & Position Papers: Evidence-based recommendations submitted directly to the Ministry of Justice, Parliament, and the Judiciary.

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5. 🤝 Multi-Sectoral Partnerships for Systemic Influence

We believe in collective power.

• CSO Networks: Coordinating with national and regional human rights and women’s rights coalitions.

• Academic Partnerships: Collaborating with universities on research and legal analysis.

• International Advocacy: Engaging with African Union and UN mechanisms to apply global pressure for domestic reform.

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Our Advocacy Victories and Milestones

• 2025: Submitted a comprehensive 10-point policy brief to the Ministry of Justice, outlining critical reforms to improve conviction rates.

• Ongoing: Leading the national coalition campaigning for the establishment of a Sexual Offenders Registry. and establlishment of a national response committee on sexual violence.

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How You Can Support Our Advocacy

As a Citizen:

• Sign our petitions and share them within your networks.

• Write to your Member of Parliament using our template letters.

• Attend public accountability forums in your community.

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As an Organization or Institution:

• Join our advocacy coalitions to amplify our collective voice.

• Partner on research or policy analysis.

• Provide technical expertise on legislative drafting or institutional reform.

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As a Researcher or Expert:

• Contribute to our policy papers and annual reports.

• Share data and insights that can strengthen our advocacy.

• Participate in our expert roundtables.

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Our Approach: Strategic, Collaborative and Survivor-Led

• Evidence-Based: Every campaign is rooted in data and research.

• Survivor-Centered: Our advocacy priorities are directly informed by the experiences of survivors we serve.

• Non-Partisan: We don't engage in campaigns which are politically inclined.

• Transparent: We publicly report on our advocacy goals, activities, and outcomes.

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Active and Upcoming Advocacy Priorities (2025-2026)

Our Reform Advocacy Department is leading the campaign for systemic change. Based on community mobilization and survivor-led demands, we are strategically advocating for these urgent priorities:

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🏛️ Judicial Reform

• Fast-Track Sexual Offence Courts: Establish dedicated courts to ensure swift justice, reduce survivor re-traumatization, and rebuild public trust.

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⚖️ Legislative Priorities

• New Sexual Offences Act: A comprehensive law to close loopholes, protect survivors, and provide the legal framework for fast-track courts.

• Stronger Penalties: Amend Penal Code to increase minimum defilement sentences from 15 to 25 years.

• Criminalize Concealment: Prosecute adults who fail to report sexual abuse of children.

• Restrict Case Withdrawal: Prevent coerced withdrawal of complaints by survivors.

• Combat Harmful Practices: Explicitly criminalize "witch doctors" who promote child defilement for healing or wealth.

• Empower Magistrates: Expand sentencing jurisdiction to reduce case backlogs.

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🛡️ Survivor Support and Protection

• Emergency Economic Safety Net: Create urgent pathways into Social Cash Transfer and Cash for Work programs for survivors' families facing financial retaliation after a breadwinner's arrest.

• National Network of Safe Houses & Empowerment Programs: Government-funded, accessible shelters and economic support to enable reporting and recovery.

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🌍 Systemic and Preventive intervention

• National Research & Strategy: Fund evidence-based studies to inform a data-driven national action plan.

• Rural Awareness Scaling: Intensify and fund community education campaigns nationwide.

• Formal Role for Traditional Leaders: Mandate Chiefs to refer all cases to police, not mediate internally.

• Boy-Child & Positive Masculinity Programs: Nationwide educational initiatives to prevent violence by nurturing respect and equality from a young age.

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We are engaging policymakers, building coalitions, and mobilizing public support to turn these demands into reality.

Join the movement for systemic change. [See How You Can Advocate →]

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Download Our Key Advocacy Documents

• [📥 2025 State of SGBV in Zambia Report]

• [📥 Policy Brief: 10 Reforms to Improve Conviction Rates]

• [📥 Draft Framework for a National Sexual Offenders Registry]

• [📥 Campaign Toolkit: #JusticeForSurvivorsZM]

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Get Involved in Shaping Laws and Policy

To join our advocacy network, contribute research, or request a policy meeting:
Contact: aasevzambia@gmail.com
Call: +260 966 531 998 / +260 779 089 151 (Ask for the Reform Advocacy Department)

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Follow our advocacy campaigns:
 

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Systemic change is the ultimate prevention. By reforming laws and strengthening institutions, we are building a Zambia where justice is not the exception, but the guarantee.