Zambian women being forced into ‘Sex-for-Fish’ deals  

Many have no choice but to trade sex for fish, as severe drought and a lack of aid have made it harder for them to survive.

Droughts have destroyed farms, leaving many women without food or income.

With few options, some have turned to fishing and only can rely on fishermen to get their catch because they do not have their own boats. In return, many fishermen are demanding sex instead of money.

A woman named Martha shared her experience. She has a fishing net but no boat. “They demand sex in exchange for cheaper fish,” she said.

Another woman, Palekelo, said she was told she would not get any fish unless she first spent the night with a fisherman.

Gender-based violence is a growing problem in Zambia. The country recorded more than 42,000 cases in both 2023 and 2024. Many more cases go unreported.

ActionAid, an international organisation, had been running programs in Zambia to protect women and provide safe spaces.

However, funding cuts from the U.S. and other countries have forced these programs to shut down. The loss of aid has worsened the crisis, leaving women even more vulnerable.

Faides TembaTemba, who leads ActionAid Zambia, told Euronews, “No mother should have to trade her safety to keep her children from starving.”

With more droughts expected in the future, the situation could become even worse. Millions of Zambians are at risk of hunger, and women in fishing communities remain at the mercy of those who control access to food.