President Edgar Lungu has paid glowing tribute to Zambian women for the various achievements they have attained at national and personal levels.
President Lungu said he is proud that many Zambian women have raised the country’s profile through the successes they have scored.
The Head of State extolled the women when he officiated virtually during the commemoration of the International Women’s Day celebration in Lusaka, under the theme “Women in leadership: achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.”
He said the theme celebrates the tremendous efforts being made by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President pointed out that the theme also advocates for women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, and elimination of violence for attainment of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
President Lungu said the women achievers have done the country proud and embodies the spirit of the country’s great women of the freedom struggle and founding mothers such as Mama Julia Chikamoneka, Mama Betty Chilunga, Mama Mary Fulano, and Mama Chibesa Kankasa.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to celebrate this special day in the usual manner all because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But I, myself, will tell you, here and now, that I am so proud of the successes that many Zambian women have made, both at personal and national level,” said President Lungu.
“Not long ago, I was congratulating the effort made by a young Zambian pilot, Thokozile Muwamba, who just completed a 485 kilometre walk from Lusaka to Livingstone in her effort to fight cyber-bullying. That is the positive change we long for,” said President Lungu.
The President noted that presently, there were other women excelling in other fields and sectors such as peace-keeping, engineering, medicine, teaching, politics, farming, and business whose efforts may not be celebrated, but are making a positive impact in society.
The President commended journalists among other women who have been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19, through their awareness campaigns on the pandemic across the country.
He said women are agents of change who need to orient other women and girls to aim high, dream and aspire for leadership positions, in the political and professional world to enhance the country’s development process.
President Lungu praised the efforts of women across the country trying to make ends meet and cater for their families during the challenging times the country is going through.
“I commend you, that woman in Mandevu township, keeping orphaned children and making ends meet through selling groundnuts and maize cobs, my heart goes out to you. I applaud your spirit,” said President Lungu.
The Head of State regretted that the commemoration of the International Women’s Day in 2021 has been marred and by COVID-19 pandemic which the world is battling with.
He saluted the women for playing a pivotal role in combatting the pandemic by being at the frontlines of health care provision and care giving for COVID-19 affected persons and enforcement of COVID-19 prevention measures in homes and communities.
President Lungu said he is saddened that women are failing to participate in leadership and decision making due to continued social barriers which are hindering the actualization of the potential of women in leadership.
“We need to uphold women’s rights and fully leverage the potential of women in leadership in our efforts to achieve our set development,” said President Lungu.
He noted that women play a key role at household and national level hence the need to support and empower them for the development of the family and the nation.
The President said Zambia and the global society has a lot to learn from women’s capacity to carry the burden of care giving in times of disease outbreaks and calamities.
He pointed out that the world is now learning from countries governed by women which have been successful in stemming the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic, and responding to health and broader socio-economic impacts.
Meanwhile, President Lungu said government will continue to work with cooperating partners to coordinate the implementation of various gender mainstreaming and empowerment interventions to ensure women and girls’ rights are promoted and protected.
He named the 50-50 land allocation policy being implemented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement Programme, as well as educational scholarships to vulnerable women and girls, including child marriage survivors among others.
The President said government with support of the European Union, Sweden and Ireland will continue to implement programmes to fight sexual and gender based violence.
And speaking earlier at the commemoration of the International Women’s Day in Lusaka, stakeholders called on government and opposition political parties to increase the adoption of women candidates to participate in the August 12 general elections.
The Non-Governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), Human Rights Commission and the United Nations said there is a growing need to have more women representation in the political arena to help effect social change and enhance women’s leadership role in society.
NGOCC Chairperson, Mary Mulenga said it is unfortunate that 56 years after independence Zambia still has less representation of female leaders in government, parliament and district governance level.
Mrs Mulenga said her organization has developed an election strategy for the adoption of more women and will soon hold a summit for political party presidents to endorse the blueprint in order to attain the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 50-50 parity.
She called on government to establish a gender equity commission to accelerate the mainstreaming of gender in the country.
Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Mackford Mwandenga noted that COVID-19 had caused regression in the attainment of gender equality and has disadvantaged women.
Mr Mwandenga feared that more women are likely to lose employment and their businesses due to the society demands of them being at the frontline of health and care giving as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged government to devise deliberate policies and programmes to create opportunities for women to recover from COVID-19 impacts.
Mr Mwandenga said the Human Rights Commission will endeavor to ensure that it works to promote and protect the rights of women as the country works to actualize gender equality.
UN Resident Coordinator, Coumba Mar Gadio reiterated the need for more women to be adopted in the 2021 general elections
Dr Gadio said UN will continue to work with the Zambian government to support nationwide efforts to support women empowerment and promotion of gender equality.
She said there is need for Zambia to continue to break down social and cultural barriers hindering women representation and participation in decision making positions.
And Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Anna Maj Hultgård expressed concern at the possible increased cases of gender based violence due to the COVID- 19 pandemic which has created amicable conditions for the vice.
The Swedish envoy said Zambia ranks poorly on the gender equality index sitting at 137 out of the 162 countries listed.
Speaking in a virtual address Ambassador Maj Hultgård said Sweden will continue to assist Zambia fight gender based violence and promote gender equality through various interventions and programmes.
She said Sweden wants to support Zambia’s efforts in promoting gender equality and ensure that Zambian women and girls take part in the global transformation for a just and equal society.
And what have you achieved, oh you bankrupted a country, biggest achievement in your dull id1otic life…
We thank you our visionary leader for heralding us on the path to success and development.
Your words are encouraging President Lungu. It is a blessing for families to remember our mothers, sisters and daughters as Zambian Women
I have not forgotten and most patriots have not either that not long back the ruling party had tried very hard to bring Bill 10. The bill had special provisions for women, opportunities that have been denied by a selfish opposition that is running scared. We lost out in the bargain
For we shall shine high and brighter. women rejoice now and forever, for we are Zambians. Thank you our leaders for paving the roads to success.
The young Captain indeed showed bravery and mettle in her walk for cyber awareness, her family must be very proud.
Mama Veep, a belated womens day greeting to you. For you make our mother proud!
Women’s day challenge. Tell us what you did for your woman yesterday
For me I bought my wlfe an Armani dress, shoes and diamond necklace. Total damage done: 107,000 kwacha.
I woke up with a headache and have been vomiting since 6am. Prayers for me.
Why are security chiefs in Zambia so fat?
Can we win a war with these madumbos?
DEPARTURE IS THE BEST MEDICINE
WHAT WAR ?? THE ONLY WAR WE WILL EVER FACE IS WITHIN
You mean to say the PF government should stop distributing the money or things to Zambians??? Why don’t you tell your leader Hichilema to help needy people instead?
Who is stopping UPND leader Hichilema from doing this? He is the richest person in Zambia and yet he never distributed anything to poor Zambians, not even in the time of crisis.
It is proved among Zambians that the people flaunting huge money were not PF cadres. It is a part of the dirty political campaign of UPND leader HH. Stop spreading lies here or you could be the first target of the newly passes Cybersecurity bill. BEWARE!!!
For the last few days we only watching news related to PF.????? PF is promoting themselves ahead of the election but even HH and media houses are promoting them. This is a win-win situation for the ruling party.
Why are you always behind PF members? Go and cover the news of your favorite leader Hichilema and let them do their work. Oh!! We remember!!! HH never works on- ground, he must be busy creating content on social media to target President Lungu.
Don’t provoke people with lies, you will have to face consequences as the Cybersecurity bill has passed.
President Lungu’s words are always encouraging. We thank him for motivating millions of Zambians.
Because of President Lungu, Zambia is known as a peaceful country. Foreign companies are planning to invest here in Zambia, because the President has built infrastructural development, better-connected roads, flyovers, electricity, etc. Zambia surely will make its impact on the international market.
We want to see President Lungu winning in every election.
Yes, let it be medicine, teaching, politics, farming, or other business, women have successfully shown their capabilities in every field.
Let Hichilema appoint thousands of women to his party. But the majority of women will vote for Mr. President because he truly working hard to uplift entire Zambians leaving no one behind.
President Lungu always emphasizes women’s empowerment and the education of children, especially to the girl child. He is a kind-hearted man!!!
President Lungu always emphasizes women’s empowerment and the education of children, especially to the girl child. He is a kind-hearted man!!!
WHERE HE IS GOOD OR BAD ITS TIME TO SAY BYE BYE
CHANGE IS ON THE WAY
APART FROM A FEW CONFUSED PEOPLE ZAMBIA IS GOING TO BE MADE GREAT AGAIN AND NOT BY THE PFF
Lungu is a tin pot dictator who is very dull, empty tin can on useless legs… 0IQ
Women are scaling new heights under your visionary leadership Sir. We are witnessing your dedication to women empowerment. It has been historical. No other leader in the country ever envisaged women and girl empowerment, the way you have.
We have seen your urge and dedication for women empowerment. And we have also seen the inhuman side of Hakainde Hichilema who brutally sabotaged Bill10 that would have paved way for women empowerment in Zambia.
Only an honest leader who is clean at heart can be so expressive. Otherwise we have seen leaders who are only exploiting women for their personal benefits. Country needs to be aware of such leaders.
Women have always been a driving force of the society. They are getting their dues under the visionary leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
You are the leader who walks the talk and that’s the biggest virtue to command the respect. There are leaders who treat women as commodities. Thank God they won’t ever come to power.
You are raising the bar so high that no other politician can even think of competing with you. I can’t even think of state of women in their parties. We have just seen a highly capable woman leader was reduced to mere party vice president, when she deserves to be running mate!
As long as you are leading the country, we can be assured that women’s dignity shall be upheld in all circumstances.
Women play a crucial role in building society. They must be given the due respect. It is because of the women empowerment policies of the government that they are proving their mettle in all professions.
Zambian women are no less than anyone. They only need little help and they will excel in life. We are proud of women who have taken Zambia’s name to global level.
The country has seen what women can do during the testing times. They have been highly efficient, no less than men, during the Covid19 pandemic. It is all because of women empowerment policies of the government.