GEC Strengthens Partnerships in Zambia
Global Equality Caucus (GEC) Africa Regional Manager, Tshepo R. Kgositau, conducted a country visit to Zambia, aimed at strengthening relationships with legislators, civil society and advancing parliamentary engagement on equality and inclusion.
Engaging Civil Society Partners
During the visit, we met with four anchor LGBT+ organisations, with all parties reaching agreements to enter into Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). These partnerships will focus on joint strategies for direct engagement with legislators in Zambia, ensuring that community voices inform parliamentary advocacy.
Strategic Parliamentary Outreach
With the support of GEC’s Zambian champion, Hon. Joseph Munsanje, our regional Manager held one-on-one meetings with Members of Parliament during the last sitting of Parliament in early August. Hon. Munsanje’s strategic role was key in fostering meetings with MPs to discuss the equality agenda.
Out of these engagements:
Five new MPs agreed to join the GEC Caucus and its Africa Chapter, expressing readiness to publicly support equality and inclusion.
All seven MPs represent important entry points into parliamentary portfolio committees, standing committees, and thematic caucuses, making them crucial allies for advancing legislative dialogue.
MPs committed to further engagements with their committees when Parliament reconvenes in September, paving the way for follow-up visits in November.
GEC Regional Manager for Africa Tshepo R. Kgositau with Hon. Sibongile Mwamba
Education & LGBT+ Justice
One of the most impactful conversations was with Hon. Twaambo Mutinta, a member of the Education Portfolio Committee. During the discussion, we highlighted the link between early-life educational injustices faced by LGBTI+ communities and later-life socio-economic exclusion. Hon. Mutinta expressed that this perspective was eye-opening, acknowledging that education policy could indeed play a powerful role in addressing inequalities. He committed to deepening engagement with his portfolio committee on how educational justice can safeguard equitable livelihoods for LGBT+ people.
Reflections from the Regional Manager
Reflecting on the visit, Tshepo R. Kgositau noted:
“This was a really successful country visit that saw a good turnover of MPs met and enrolled into the Caucus and its African Chapter. The work of our long-standing champion in Zambia, Hon. Munsanje, truly yielded results as seen with the smart choice of MPs he brokered meetings with while Parliament met for its last sitting. This was a true testament of the GEC Africa strategy and methodology, premised on working through national legislative champions to access and enrol their peers.
The commitment from the new champions in Zambia has been a boost of hope and confidence that even in the most conservative and hostile environments, there are pockets of champions and allies. This was evidenced by the commitment of the seven MPs now enrolled as GEC members to invite us back for more engagements with their respective portfolio committees at the next sitting of Parliament. These engagements will go a long way in advancing equality, an inclusive HIV response and health policy, promoting equal and fair democratic participation, and ensuring universal access to services and broader human rights.”
Moving Forward
GEC Regional Manager for Africa Tshepo R. Kgositau met with Hon. Dr. Clement Andeleki
The Zambia visit demonstrated the strength of GEC’s strategy of working through national champions, as well as the importance of aligning with civil society partners to drive national interventions. With a growing coalition of supportive MPs and organisations, GEC is committed to deepen our impact in Zambia and across the African region.