Beyond the Stammer: The Fight to Be Heard in Zambia

by Pauline Ngozoh

For thousands of Zambians who stammer, the challenge extends beyond speech. Misconceptions, ridicule and a lack of understanding can make everyday communication a source of anxiety, forcing some to withdraw from classrooms, workplaces and public life.

On October 22, as the world marked International Stammering Awareness Day, the Stammering Association of Zambia called for greater understanding and acceptance, urging society to listen rather than judge people who stammer.

“We exist to support, not cure,” said association coordinator Shepherd Mwanza during a sensitisation drive in Lusaka, emphasising that people who stammer need support and respect rather than pressure to change how they speak.

The association’s executive secretary, Bwalya Kangwa, estimates that about one percent of Zambia’s population experiences stammering. Based on a population of 22.5 million cited in the source material, this would amount to more than 200,000 people.

Despite the number affected, stammering remains widely misunderstood, with the association identifying harmful beliefs and everyday discrimination as major barriers to inclusion.

Kangwa said some people still associate stammering with witchcraft or curses, beliefs that can lead families to seek traditional remedies instead of professional speech support. Such misconceptions risk deepening the difficulties faced by people who stammer.

The association also raised concern about ridicule in schools, churches and workplaces, where interrupting someone, completing their sentences or laughing at their speech can undermine confidence.

Mwanza said these reactions can discourage people from participating in everyday activities. In schools, for example, a child who is mocked for stammering may become reluctant to answer questions or speak in front of classmates.

Beyond social interactions, limited awareness can also create barriers in professional and community settings. Teachers, employers and religious leaders may struggle to support people who stammer if they do not understand their communication needs.

The association’s message is that inclusion begins with changing these attitudes. Rather than treating stammering as a reason to exclude or ridicule someone, communities are being encouraged to exercise patience and allow people the time they need to express themselves.

As Zambia continues to pursue inclusive education and employment, the ability to communicate without fear of humiliation remains an important part of equal participation.

For people who stammer, being heard may begin with a simple change in how others respond: listen patiently, avoid finishing their sentences and treat them with the same dignity afforded to everyone else.