Factors influencing drug trafficking among women in Zambia: A gendered analysis

Abstract

Worldwide trends in illicit drug trafficking show that there has been an upsurge in drug trafficking. Illicit drug trafficking in Africa, particularly in Zambia has for sometimes been known to be a male dominated activity (DEC News, 2005). Current experiences however, have shown that drug trafficking and abuse is not entirely dominated by males (ibid). The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing women involvement in drug trafficking in Zambia. Main objective was to examine the factors that influence women involvement in drug trafficking, (1) To determine gender specific vulnerabilities that expose women to be involved in drug trafficking. (2) To investigate perceived socio-economic benefits motivating women to engage in drug trafficking. (3) To examine the demographic factors associated with women involvement in drug trafficking. (3) To identify cultural factors that influence women involvement in drug trafficking in Zambia. This study was important to a number of stakeholders due to the sensitive nature and negative effects of illicit drugs in the society. The study used a descriptive research design and primary data used, was collected using self-administered questionnaires and structured interviews from a target population of 183 male and female respondents in the selected provinces of Lusaka, Central, Eastern and Copperbelt Provinces. It was found that vulnerability, trustworthiness especially in women, desire for a luxuriant life, neglect by family, lack of awareness of consequences and low education levels influence both men and women to get involved in drug trafficking. The gender cultural believes of society also contributed to drug trafficking. The level of education and lack of formal employments was established as part the reasons to problem of drug trafficking. It was recommended that more focus in empowering women and some men economically could help in reducing the risk of involvement. Education should also be the focus and campaigns against bad society cultural practices must be encouraged. The laws against drug trafficking be strengthened to deter new entrants and impart fear in the current practitioners as a way of mitigating the problem, the capacity at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) be enhanced and more sensitisation be done against drug trafficking