Overview
The paper critically examines Zambia’s performance on MDG 3 regarding women’s political participation, focusing on urban governance. Using Nancy Fraser’s tripartite lens of redistribution, recognition, and participatory parity, the authors argue that international and national approaches have emphasized redistribution while neglecting deep-rooted recognition and representation challenges. The study traces constraints to colonial legacies, dual legal systems, socio-cultural norms, party politics, media stereotypes, and urban realities such as informal employment, long work hours, and limited family support. Despite constitutional reforms and regional commitments (SADC, AU), women’s representation in parliament and particularly in local government remains low, with setbacks linked to high nomination fees, absence of quotas, and party practices. Findings highlight how economic precarity, education gaps, tribal patronage, and limited media visibility curtail women’s entry and influence in politics. The authors conclude that legislated gender quotas, complemented by capacity-building and supportive policy frameworks, are necessary to advance SDG targets and achieve substantive parity.