Lusaka, Zambia — The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has issued a stern warning to young women and girls against creating and sharing explicit personal content, stating that the trend is fueling new forms of abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The caution was delivered during a cybersecurity awareness event in Lusaka yesterday, where ZAF Director Gender, Colonel Martha Chiwama, highlighted the severe risks associated with obscene self-recordings. She emphasized that such material, whether shared privately or publicly, poses a significant threat to personal safety and dignity.
“Stop filming yourself in obscene acts. What may seem private today can easily become public tomorrow,” Col. Chiwama urged.
“Once such material is online, it is almost impossible to control who sees it, and it can have serious consequences for your life and reputation.” Col. Chiwama explained that the circulation of explicit content not only leaves young women vulnerable to harassment and exploitation but also perpetuates a broader culture of abuse, both online and offline. She stressed that the digital space, intended to be empowering, has instead become a dangerous environment for many girls.
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She further clarified that GBV offenses committed through digital means—such as phones, messaging apps, or social platforms—carry the same legal weight as physical abuse and should be reported without hesitation. Echoing concerns for younger victims, ZAF Twin Palm Station Commander Colonel Gigi Handima called for stronger child protection measures. He noted that many children have become unintended victims of digital exposure due to inadequate supervision.
“Children are wandering into harmful online spaces because no one is watching. We need to cut down their screen time, supervise what they consume, and teach them values that keep them grounded both on and offline,” Col. Handima stated.
Memory Sichula, a Consumer Education Officer from the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), outlined prevalent forms of digital violence. These include non-consensual recording, the sharing of private images, and abusive commenting across online platforms. “Perpetrators of digital violence and cyberbullying do not just include the capturers and sharers but commenters on various posts as well.
The law is very clear about the consequences,” Sichula added. In a related safety message, the Drug Enforcement Commission’s Programs Officer, Emma Tembo, urged parents to be more present and vigilant in their children’s daily lives, noting that some children engage in drug abuse undetected at home. Concluding with a national security perspective, the Ministry of Defence’s Acting Cyber Defence Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nchimunya Nyemba, warned that careless online behavior could compromise safety.
“Adversaries study what soldiers post. If you are careless online, you can be manipulated into revealing sensitive information. Discipline in the digital space is as important as discipline on the parade ground,” Lt. Nyemba affirmed.
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