Zambia has recorded an increase in reported Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases during the second quarter of 2026, with the Zambia Police Service recording 10,881 cases countrywide, representing a seven percent increase compared to the same period last year.
According to the latest GBV statistics released by the Zambia Police Service, Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi says 10,170 cases were recorded between April and June 2025, meaning cases increased by 711 during the period under review. Of the cases recorded in the second quarter of 2026, 7,261 were criminal while 3,620 were non-criminal.
Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of criminal GBV cases at 1,696, followed by Luapula with 950, Western with 818 and Copperbelt with 763 cases.
Women and girls continued to be the most affected, accounting for 8,035 victims, or 73.8 percent of all reported GBV cases. Men accounted for 2,846 victims.
The statistics further show that 2,678 children were victims of GBV during the period, representing 24.6 percent of all reported cases. Of these, 2,294 were victims in criminal cases, comprising 1,409 girls and 885 boys.
Physical abuse was the most common form of GBV, accounting for 3,967 cases, an increase of 17.3 percent from the 3,382 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.
Economic abuse also recorded a significant increase, rising by 32.5 percentfrom 1,571 cases in the second quarter of 2025 to 2,082 cases in 2026.
Meanwhile, murder cases increased from 29 to 39, representing a 34.5 percent rise, while cases of Grievous Bodily Harm increased from six to 15.
Sexual abuse cases slightly declined by 0.6 percent, from 937 cases in the second quarter of 2025 to 931 cases during the period under review. Girls accounted for the majority of sexual abuse victims, with 701 cases.
Child defilement remained the most prevalent sexual offence, accounting for 647 cases, or 69.5 percent of all reported sexual abuse cases.
The Zambia Police Service has called on communities, traditional leaders, parents and guardians, faith-based organisations and civil society organisations to strengthen efforts aimed at preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable persons.
The Service has also urged victims and members of the public to report GBV cases to the nearest police station or through established reporting mechanisms.
By Edna Mwiimbi Tembo
