Recently, public commentary made on a widely circulated podcast encouraged older men to pursue relationships with significantly younger female university students. While relationships between consenting adults are legal, public messaging on public media platforms that normalizes large power imbalances raises serious safeguarding and exploitation concerns.

Podcasts and digital media platforms shape social attitudes, especially among young audiences. When advice that promotes targeting younger university students is broadcast without challenge or context, it risks legitimizing exploitative dynamics.

Young women in universities, regardless of their financial background, are often navigating independence, identity formation, and adulthood for the first time. Even those from financially stable or well-off families can be vulnerable to manipulation rooted in age gaps, social influence, emotional immaturity, or unequal life experience.

Power imbalance is not only financial. It can be psychological, social, or based on status and influence. When significantly older individuals use their age, authority, or resources to target younger women, it creates conditions where coercion, pressure, or grooming behaviours can occur under the guise of mentorship, support, or romance.

Public figures and podcast platforms carry responsibility. When narratives that promote targeting younger students are amplified without accountability, it risks normalizing harmful patterns that undermine young women’s safety, dignity, autonomy, and educational progress.

This petition calls for:

• Public accountability and clarification of such statements

• Responsible podcast and broadcasting standards

• Stronger safeguarding messaging for university students

• Clear public condemnation of exploitative dating advice

• Increased awareness about power imbalance dynamics in age-gap relationships

We believe Zambia must protect its young women and ensure media platforms do not normalize harmful power imbalances.