Socio-economic development of women in Zambia, an analysis of two women's organisations

This report on the role of local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the improvement of the socioeconomic position of women in Zambia is based on anthropological fieldwork carried out in 1988 and 1989, and a consultancy mission undertaken on behalf of the Organization of Dutch volunteers abroad in May-June 1989. Chapter 1 reviews Zambia's socioeconomic situation, with special reference to the position of women. Chapter 2 focuses on different aspects of women in development issues in Zambia. In chapter 3, some notes are presented on the national machinery for women in development, including data on the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Women's League. Then follows a chapter on the role of local NGOs, and a chapter on research on women in development in Zambia in general. Chapter 6 introduces the theoretical and methodological context for the analysis of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) (chapter 7) and the NGO Coordinating Committee (NGO-CC), an umbrella organization of NGOs concerned with women's issues in Zambia. The author concludes that NGOs, such as the YWCA and the NGO-CC, have played and do play an important role in improving the socioeconomic position of women in Zambia. They also provide a channel to reach women at the grassroots level. However, their work is affected by many constraints, mostly due to a shortage of qualified staff and financial resources