The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with several Zambian and international partners, recently convened a three-day High-Level Conference in Lusaka to address the underrepresentation of women in politics ahead of the 2026 General Elections. This initiative, part of UNDP’s Africa Facility for Women in Political Leadership, aims to foster evidence-based dialogue, secure political commitment, and coordinate actions to dismantle structural barriers hindering women's participation, such as patriarchal norms, gender-based violence, and limited access to campaign financing. Despite progressive policies, women in Zambia remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making roles, holding only 14% of parliamentary seats, 7.6% of councillor positions, and 17.8% of Cabinet Minister roles, despite being the majority of the population and electorate. President Hakainde Hichilema, through a speech delivered by the Minister of Justice, emphasized that inclusive governance and national advancement are impossible without women's leadership, stressing the need to dismantle barriers to their full participation. UNDP Resident Representative Dr. James Wakiaga highlighted the urgency of the conference, noting that only four years remain until the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which include targets for gender equality and women's political empowerment. The conference seeks to accelerate progress towards these goals by fostering a more inclusive political landscape in Zambia.