First Lady, Mutinta Hichilema has urged women in Zambia to break down all forms of gender discrimination against them in all sectors permanently.
Officiating at Absa Bank Plc Women’s Day Gala dinner in Lusaka, Mrs Hichilema indicated that this year’s International Women’s Day theme, aims at challenging everyone to imagine a world free of bias, stereotype and discrimination against women.
The First Lady stated that in line with the theme which is, “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”, everyone needs to imagine a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Mrs Hichilema also commend Absa for being consistent in providing innovative banking solutions that contribute towards the growth of the banking industry and the communities in which the bank operates.
“I urge you to continue being an integral player in the growth of the key sectors of our economy such as mining, manufacturing, green energy, Agricultural, small and medium enterprises and the public sector,” she said.
Mrs Hichilema added that significant disparities in financial inclusion still exist between men and women as well as between small and medium enterprises and large corporates and the potential to exploit the full benefits of access to finance are yet to be realized.
“Therefore it is encouraging to witness Absa’s efforts towards making financial services available to small and medium enterprises and women in particular, through the launch of the Absa Women in Business Initiative under the theme Unleash,” she stated.
Mrs Hichilema noted that the launch of the Absa Women in Business Initiative serves as a vote of confidence that the women are doing something right and their unique needs must be met through tailor made financial solutions.
“I therefore trust that the bank will work closely with its women entrepreneur clients to enhance their business potential to the fullest,” she said.
Meanwhile Absa Bank Plc. Managing Director, Mizinga Melu said the launch of Absa Women in Business initiative is aimed at providing women in various businesses with opportunities to grow their business through access to finance and market both international and local.
She stated that with financial support of 20 million United States Dollars from USAID, women in business will be given an opportunity to grow their businesses significantly.
“With the Absa Women in Business initiative our women will be given an opportunity to access development of business skills, which includes mentorship and coaching, and access to information for their businesses.
“We have also partnered with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and a number of other partners to take women to countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and China to connect them to both international and local markets,” said Mrs Melu.
Thank you very much our absentee First Lady
I have been attentively following chella tukutas photography since he became president’s chola boy. Especially around the photos he takes of the first lady. Those are photos taken by someone in love with a woman. You cannot capture thr first lady so perfectly. I can tell those are pictures taken by a man in love. Can the president keep an eye on his wlfe because we don’t want scandals. This has Vera chiluba and matricbouy written all over it. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
Its a good thing that this first lady has not set up a charity as these were tools for corruption and bribery …why have the likes of AVIC and all those big construction contractors suddenly stopped donating to the Chawama old hen Ester Lungu?
Whisper to him help make polygamy illegal.