The Zambia National Women’s Lobby has observed that the continued under representation of women in both the political leadership and administration at local level has resulted in inequitable access to services fundamental to satisfying basic needs and quality of life.
Speaking during a press briefing for the Zambian women councillor’s exchange visit to Finland ZNWL chairperson Beauty Katebe noted that increasing the number of women representation at local level will help improve opportunities for equal accessibility to services by local communities.
Ms. Katebe also noted that the current numbers of women representation at local government level leaves much to be desired as there are only 84 out of 1382 local government councillors representing only 6.1percent of all seats.
She explained that the exchange visit is meant to strengthen female councillors’ capacities for increased participation and representation at local government level in the country.
And Finnish ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen said the project is aimed at strengthening leadership and technical capacities of elected and aspiring female councillors; lobbying and sensitising political party leadership on the importance of women’s participation in politics.
He added that the project will increase cross party collaboration of women politicians at local, national and international level.
Meanwhile councillor Dorothy Mambwe who represented her counterparts said the exchange visit will afford the councillors and aspiring councillors an opportunity to learn more on democracy and women’s participation so as to increase cross-party collaboration both at local government and national level.
The five political parties taking part in the exchange visit are the ruling PF, former ruling parties MMD and UNIP, FDD and UPND. The exchange visit is expected to last for 9days
Zambian women are too busy chasing Mosi and being concubines
This is the mother of children! Greet Towera, Kapungwe, Gershom and Muzoma.