CHIRWA, Veronica2026-07-022026https://research.unilus.ac.zm/handle/123456789/683Bachelor of Laws - Research ReportThis study looked at how well Zambia's legislative and institutional structure deals with gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual harassment directed against female inmates. Despite Zambia's ratification of key international and regional human rights treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Bangkok Rules in prisons is still inadequate. The study employed a qualitative research approach, drawing primary and secondary data from legislation, case law, international agreements, reports, and interviews with women. representatives from civil society, prison administrators, and inmates. The Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act of 2011 and the Zambia Correctional Service Act of 2021 both have major shortcomings, according to the research. Which lacks specific clauses safeguarding female inmates from sexual misconduct by custodians. The employees’ issue is made worse by institutional shortcomings, such as a lack of adequate complaint procedures, a paucity of female, and a lack of oversight. In contrast, Rwanda offers a forward-thinking paradigm in which sexual misbehavior is successfully dealt with and women's rights in detention are protected through gender sensitive legislation, judicial enforcement, and specialized institutional mechanisms. According to the research, Zambia's jail system needs specific changes to improve accountability, gender sensitivity, and protection mechanisms in order to fully comply with international human rights norms. The main suggestions are to update the Correctional Service Act to make custodial sexual abuse illegal, domesticate the Bangkok Rules into national law, fortify independent oversight organizations, and increase cooperation with non-governmental groups. Zambia may better protect the dignity, safety, and human rights of female prisoners by adopting a rights-based and gender-responsive strategy that is comparable to Rwanda's.enThesis