Why Women in Zambia Marched on April 3, 2025

On April 3, 2025, women across Zambia took to the streets in a powerful demonstration under the hashtag **#NoBailNoBond**, demanding an end to bail and bond for rapists—especially those accused of defiling children. The march, organized by women’s rights groups, activists, and outraged citizens, was a direct response to the alarming surge in child defilement cases and the perceived failure of the justice system to protect victims.

A Crisis of Violence Against Children

Zambia has been grappling with an epidemic of sexual violence against minors. Recent reports from the Zambia Police Service and child protection NGOs reveal a disturbing increase in defilement cases, with many victims as young as four years old. Despite existing laws, perpetrators often evade justice—walking free on bail, intimidating victims, or receiving shockingly lenient sentences.

For many Zambian women, the final straw was the case of a 10-year-old girl in Lusaka who was brutally assaulted, only for her alleged attacker to be released on bond days later. Stories like this have fueled public outrage, with activists arguing that the current legal system prioritizes the rights of offenders over the safety of children.

#lWhy #NoBailNoBond?

The demand is clear: **no bail, no bond for rapists**, particularly in child defilement cases. Protesters argue that allowing suspects to walk free while trials drag on for years puts victims at further risk—enabling witness tampering, secondary trauma, and even repeat offenses.

“How many more children must suffer before our laws change?” asked one protester in Lusaka. “If someone is accused of stealing a phone, they’re denied bail. But when it’s a child’s life destroyed, the system lets predators walk. This must end.”

A Call for Systemic Change

Beyond #NoBailNoBond, marchers called for:

1. Faster trials – Specialized courts to expedite defilement cases.

2. Stronger sentencing – Harsher penalties for convicted offenders.

3. Victim protection – Safeguards to prevent intimidation of survivors and their families.

4. Community accountability – An end to the culture of silence that shields perpetrators.

What’s Next?

The April 3 march was not just a protest—it was a warning. Organizers have vowed to keep pressure on lawmakers until concrete action is taken. Petitions are being circulated, and meetings with government officials are underway.

As one mother at the march put it: “We will not stop until our daughters are safe. No bail. No bond. No excuses.”

The world is watching. Will Zambia finally deliver justice for its children?

Join the conversation: #NoBailNoBond #JusticeForZambiasChildren

The Catalyst Collective stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and advocates for systemic change to end impunity.

Below are pictures from the protest: