Among other things, the maternal mortality rate has dropped[4] and the National Assembly of Zambia has enacted multiple policies aimed at decreasing violence against women.

Child marriage rates in Zambia are some of the highest in the world,[7] and women continue to experience high levels of physical and sexual violence.

[8] Across nearly all gender-based indicators, there is a significant disparity between the quality of life of rural, less educated, and impoverished women and their urban counterparts.

[citation needed] The Government of Zambia has ratified numerous treaties recognizing women's health rights, most notably the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development.

[4] Article 12 of CEDAW calls on State Parties to eradicate gender discrimination in healthcare and provide necessary women's health services.

[9] Similarly, the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development requires State Parties to implement strategies which aim to reduce maternal mortality rates and increase the availability of sanitation facilities.

[11] Additionally, as a member of the United Nations, the Government of Zambia is committed to efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are UN-wide targets to address global issues by 2030.

[12] The Government of Zambia has instituted multiple policies to improve access to contraceptives and family planning services.

[4] Reproductive health campaigns disseminated via radio and television by both the government and civil society groups have led to an increase in contraceptive use.

[16] However, birth rates are higher for rural, poorer, and non-educated women than their urban, wealthier, and educated counterparts.

[16] Pregnancy complications increase among women aged 35 or above, as they are considered beyond the typical child-bearing years in Zambia, and are less likely to seek maternal health care as a result.

[17] Similarly, SMAGs are community groups that aim to decrease maternal mortality by recruiting volunteers to assist expecting mothers with identifying their medical needs and accessing care facilities.

[4] However, the MMR has remained high due to the scarcity of health facilities, shortages of medical professionals and equipment, and women's limited access to economic resources.

"[20]Furthermore, the Penal Code was amended in 2005 to provide for abortion in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or child abuse.

[22] The Government of Zambia has instituted several policies and programs intended to reduce the number of annual HIV infections and provide support for those living with HIV/AIDS.

[6] The overarching goal of these programs is to reach the 90-90-90 treatment targets set by the UNAIDS Programme, which are:[23] As of 2018, 1,200,000 Zambians were infected with HIV.

[8] The actual percentage is likely even higher, as domestic violence is underreported for a variety of reasons, including social stigma, family pressures, economic dependence on the abuser, and lack of access to formal complaint methods.

[8] Attitudes towards domestic violence are split: 60% of women and 50% of men in Zambia have indicated in surveys that they believe a husband may beat his wife under certain circumstances.

[7] Zambia has a dual legal system, and statutory and customary law in the country conflict on the issue of child marriage.