Women and the liberation struggle in Zambia: a historical study of their roles and significance 1948 - 1964.
Date
2023
Authors
Chisha, Christine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The study examines the significant roles played by women in the liberation struggle of Zambia. It
argues that the role of women in the fight for Zambia’s independence struggle has been neglected
in spite of the oral data from the actual participants and few records which prove their participation
in this period. The study further argues that the literature on women participation in this domain is
scanty. Many writers suggest that women had no impact or played insignificant roles in precolonial
societies. The study has revealed that the main reasons for such a notion is that precolonial
societies were steeped in patriarchal order which discriminated women’s roles to domestic
spheres. Mainly the platforms of politics were considered as just for men while the women’s
platform was considered to be private. Hence public platforms such as politics were not considered
as places for women but for men. However, women still participated and had great influence and
impact in politics. The study reveals that women played significant roles for the fight of Zambia’s
independence. The inception of women’s participation in public politics has been attributed to the
civil disturbances which took place in the Copperbelt. The evidence shows that women contributed
greatly towards the struggle for better working conditions in the mines of Northern Rhodesia. This
was their beginning of active participation in politics of this country. Women were incorporated
in the labour strikes and the Welfare Societies that fought colonialism and its discrimination. When
political parties were formed to fight colonialism in Zambia, women still continued to work with
men to liberate Zambia from colonial masters. The study also shows that most political parties
which were formed in Zambia incorporated the women in their activities. In the African National
Congress (ANC), Zambia African National Congress (ZANC) and United National Independence
Party (UNIP), women played crucial roles in party mobilisation, dissemination of information,
provided and cooked food for the men in detention and those who were hiding in the bush from
the wrath of colonial authorities. They helped in raising funds which were used for the smooth
running of the political activities. The women also played an important role in organising other
women who took part in the protests, picketing, rioting and demonstrations as a way to rebel
against colonialism and its systems. The study concluded that despite women facing many
challenges coming from patriarchal phenomenon, their participation in the struggle for
independence contributed to various achievements which are still visible to date. This is because
when Zambia gained independence many of the patriarchal norms which suppressed them were
relaxed.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Women--Political activity--Zambia--Biography. , Women power--Politics. , National Women's Lobby Group (Zambia).