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UPND will decisively deal with poverty once we form government-HH

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UPND will decisively deal with poverty once we form government-HH

UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema says his party will decisively deal with poverty once they form government.

Mr Hichilema says poverty is multifaceted and the UPND will deal with this problem by going beyond economic diversification, and deal with industry or sector based poverty which faces many working people, both in public and private related zones.

He says the critical area of concern is the transport industry that requires serious government intervention.

Mr Hichilema said a lot of drivers of various categories and types are wallowing in abject poverty and can be best described as the working poor or the underemployed as they have pathetic conditions of service that fall far below Basic Needs Basket.

He said the UPND has identified corruption by government officials as a major cause to this problem and therefore when they form government, UPND will vigorously tackle this scourge, as it has always affected the independence of collective bargaining, in the Transport industry, among many other areas.

Mr Hichilema added that conflict of interest among some government officials who are supposed to protect hard working drivers is rife because of corruption which has subsequently compromised the sector and opened it up for manipulation by unscrupulous individuals.

He said the UPND will therefore create transparency, accountability and an enabling environment that will attract genuine investors in this industry, and ensure it is profitable and remains as an enabler for economic growth.

“We will also endeavor to devise a sustainable beneficiation mechanism for all workers in terms of living wages, without discrimination based on ranks and other barriers”, he added.

“When we revive the economy, with functional policies in Mining, Agriculture, Tourist and a lot of other economic sectors, our Transportation industry will thrive and be sustainable, and our drivers’ livelihoods will subsequently be greatly improved”, said Mr Hichilema.

Chief Chief Mukuni welcomes PF Rally in Livingstone

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Chief Chief Mukuni welcomes PF Rally in Livingstone

By Senior Chief Mukuni,Kazungula, Livingstone and Zimba Districts

I am pleased to note that in his State of the Nation address (SONA) at Parliament, President Edgar Lungu condemned hate speech which in all intents and purposes has been practised by his own Party. The President’s words will give confidence and hope to the nation if he demonstrates his seriousness over the matter by dismissing government and party leaders that took part in the hate speech recently. Further he should encourage the Zambia Police to bring the culprits to book.

In view of the above and in the same vein, I wish to welcome the PF mobilization rally in Livingstone and urge them to preach peace and national unity, and for a change, let them be credited in avoiding ethnic hate speech against the people of Southern Province, which tragically characterized their political party, especially during the Chilubi by election in the Northern Province a few weeks ago. Let them attentively listen to President Edgar Lungu’s SONA address and change their behavior.

I sincerely believe that Zambian citizens of all tribes, races, religions and political persuasions, must feel safe and welcome anywhere in Zambia because these are the shared values with which President Kenneth David Kaunda, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and other founding fathers and mothers, founded Zambia upon.This is the Zambian spirit.

As a traditional leader, I rule over a multi faceted population of different tribes, races, national and regional backgrounds. In these communities are people that practice Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Bahai Faith, Traditional African ancestral religions, but all live in harmony with each other. This is who we are as Zambians, and going foward this is who, we should be.

And so when I hear a politician say this one is from this tribe and therefore isn’t fit for the Presidency, or these people from this or that tribe are like this or that animal, utterances that cast aspersions and dehumanize fellow citizens who have no prerogatives to choose which tribe or region to be born from, I will feel extremely troubled and alarmed, and will spare no effort in condemning such behavior, that has potential to cause citizen to rise against citizen. I strongly feel that all traditional leaders right across Zambia, must not be silent but vehemently disapprove such conduct.

God bless you and God bless the Republic of Zambia.

Participate in International Women’s Day, Mweetwa urges UPND members

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Participate in International Women’s Day, Mweetwa urges UPND members

The opposition UPND will today participate in International Women’s Day celebrations, UPND Deputy Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has announced.

Mr Mweetwa, who is also Choma Member of Parliament said the day was not a political one but one that was meant to celebrate women, their achievements and contributions to society.

He said it was unfortunate that UPND had been attacked in the past when it tried to participate in the event resulting in one youth being undressed and sexually assaulted in full view of Police at the time.

”We would like to take this opportunity to inform the rest of the nation, especially our membership that as UPND, we have decided that we are participating in the International Women’s Day which falls on the 8th of March, which is Monday and appeal to PF to keep their cadres peaceful , said Mr Mweetwa.

He has since advised all UPND structures across the country with the capability to mobilise people to get ready and participate in commemorating the day.

”So, all our party structures across the country are accordingly informed that those who are ready and those capable of mobilising, please go ahead and participate in this very important Women’s Day. This is not a political day. This is a day to celebrate women and their achievements,” said Mr Mweetwa.

He has since called on UPND members to take precautionary measures before they can participate in the commemorations.

He has also appealed to the police and Patriotic Front to create a safe environment for UPND members to participate in the celebrations following the habit of PF cadres attacking UPND members.

”We would also like to indicate that as you go out to participate, please ensure your safety. And for our colleagues the Patritiotic Front, here we are coming to participate, we would like to urge our colleagues from the PF to ensure that they do not send violent youths to go and cause confusion or disrupt these functions like saw last time ,” he said

Green Buffaloes Frustrate Zesco United

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Zesco United drew 1-1 at home with Green Buffaloes after they threw away another vital lead to record a third successive draw.

The result saw Zesco miss an opportunity to go third on the FAZ Super Division table following the home draw at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Jesse Were put Zesco ahead when he sliced through Buffaloes backline after a slick move he started involving Tafadzwa Rusike and Winston Kalengo.

Buffaloes best chance of the half came in the 42nd minute when Friday Samu saw his header land on the roof of Zesco’s net.

But Martin Phiri made no mistake in the 52nd minute from similar situation when he nodded in Gideon Sichone’s cross.

Then Zesco goalkeeper Ian Otieno pulled off a dramatic save to keep out Robert Musonda’s header in the 58th minute as the game swayed before they settled for a draw in a tightly contested second half.

It is the second time in three games over the last month that Zesco have squandered a lead to finish level after finishing 2-2 away and 1-1 at home against Power Dynamos in a rescheduled Week 4 match and a Week 21 fixture respectively.

Zesco stay 5th on 42 points, four points behind leaders Forest Rangers and three adrift of second placed Napsa Stars.

Progressive Mineral Taxation Regime Can help Limit the Fiscal Reformation

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Progressive Mineral Taxation Regime Can help Limit the Fiscal Reformation

By Webby Banda CTPD Senior Researcher (Extractives)

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) is calling for a progressive mining fiscal regime that captures a substantial amount of revenue in high mineral prices and provides fiscal space for mining companies in low mineral prices.

CTPD has observed that progressive fiscal regimes can help limit unilateral alteration of fiscal terms by the government.

The Centre notes that although the Zambian government has made an immense stride in making some fiscal instruments progressive such as the implementation of the sliding scale mineral royalty, it is important to be cognizant of the fact that this is not a single tax instrument that influences the progressivity of a taxation regime but the lump sum of all taxes. A mineral taxation regime can have a fiscal instrument that is progressive but still shows that it is regressive when taxes are analysed as a lump sum.

According to the Fraser Institute survey, Zambia has slipped into the world’s bottom 10 countries of attracting mining investment. This slip has been attributed to a negative policy perception by investors which has emanated mainly from frequent revisions in mining tax policy.

The frequent revisions in mining tax policy have reduced due to the fact that the country is not getting the maximum benefit from its resources in times of high mineral prices. This being so, there is a need to make the taxation regime more progressive. Doing so will help reduce the public’s perception of low gain from mining. This is because the progressive tax regime will capture a substantial amount of revenue in high mineral prices and provide fiscal relief to mining companies in low mineral prices.

Further, CTPD notes that in as much as the government should encourage progressivity in the mining fiscal regime it is important to provide the right balance with the administrative capacity of Zambia Revenue Authority.

Additionally, it is also important to note that profit-based tax instruments by their nature are known to induce progressivity. However, this is contradictory because profit-based tax instruments are difficult to administer than revenue-based tax instruments. Under profit based tax instruments both revenue and costs are manipulated by the investor to reduce the tax incidence.

CTPD wishes to note that the concept of progressivity in mining taxation should not be limited to copper. There is need to apply progressive tax instruments to other minerals such as cobalt, gold and nickel.

Declare Road Safety a National Disaster!

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Declare Road Safety a National Disaster!

THE Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is urging the Government to declare road safety a national disaster in the wake of the highest number of Zambian lives lost on our roads within a short period of time.

In the 8 days of March, 2020 alone, over 57 non replaceable Zambian lives of mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles and children have been lost on our roads in the four accidents recorded on Lusaka-Mumbwa Road, Kitwe-Kalulushi Road, Ndola-Kitwe Dual Carriageway and the Chipata- Lundazi Road.

The Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group feels these fatal road accidents are symptomatic of deeply-rooted and bigger road safety lapses in Zambia from road designs and signage, road maintenance and patrols to driver/passenger training and prevailing bad driving conditions.

“Zambia has lost more people in March alone than countries outside China affected by the Corona virus. This is a national disaster requiring actions beyond mere speeches of regret and condolences by all stakeholders and experts,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda

The Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group is not satisfied with the lacklustre investigative methods of the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and the Zambia Police Traffic Division who only see ‘over speeding’ as the all cause of all accidents in Zambia, and whose accident reports have no pointers on how future accidents could be prevented and valuable lives saved.

“We are urging the Government to declare this a national disaster and call on all stakeholders to study these accidents and accidents scenes and provide holistic solutions that will incorporate road safety in road designs and driving conditions to ensure future accidents are prevented and lives saved,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda.

The Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group has always called for the marking of all accident prone sites and erection of ample warning road signs, in the short run, to caution motorists as they pass through these areas. In the long run, we have called for improvement of road designs, including creation of overtaking lanes so slow vehicles like trucks can give way to fast cars on those accident prone areas of the highways.

Every day without any road death is possible and every Zambian life matters.

President Lungu is PF’s 2021 Presidential Candidate-Stephen Kampyongo

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President Lungu is PF’s 2021 Presidential Candidate-Stephen Kampyongo

Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said that Constitutional Lawyer John Sangwa will not decide for patriotic Front (PF) who should be its Presidential candidate for 2021 General Election because the party has already resolved that President Edgar Lungu will be its candidate for 2021, after the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling on his eligibility case.

Responding to questions from the media at the PF interactive forum, the Minister explained that the party was aware of dark corner meetings from some opposition political parties on the candidature of its Party President Edgar Lungu, but advised the political parties to prepare themselves for its candidate rather than focusing on his eligibility.

Weighing in on the eligibility issues, The part’s Media Director Sunday Chanda said that PF was aware that the Law Association of Zambia(LAZ) is planning to stop it’s Party PresidentEdgar Lungu from filing his nominations in the 2021 General election’s.

Mr. Chanda said LAZ will not distract the party in any way.

Last Week, LAZ President Eddie Mwitwa said that the Association intends to approach the Constitutional Court to ask it to determine the eligibility of the candidates that will be floated by the various political parties for the 2021 general Elections, while insisting that the Constitutional Court did not declare President Edgar Lungu eligible to stand in the 2021 general election, contrary to assertions that they did, adding that the controversial question relating to President Lungu’s eligibility was not yet over and that Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa, State Counsel, was right to say that the matter could still be appealed in the Constitutional Court.

Mr. Mwitwa said that when the elections are nearing, the parties have nominated their candidates, LAZ will go back to the constitutional court.

“When the elections are nearing and nominations are filed, there will still be an opportunity to ask the Constitutional Court to determine the eligibility of the candidates that will be floated by the various political parties. It is not a dead-end; it is a matter that can still be revived. Remember that the President himself, President Edgar Lungu, was not a party to that particular action. So, there is an opportunity to take that to the Constitutional Court on the question of his eligibility when he files in his nomination to stand for President in 2021.”

Mr. Mwitwa further said that the December 7, 2018, ConCourt ruling did not interpret specifically President Lungu’s eligibility to stand for a third-successive time at next year’s crucial election.

Mumbi Phiri cautions youths in Livingstone against being used by politicians

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Mumbi Phiri cautions youths in Livingstone against being used by politicians

PF Deputy Secretary General MUMBI PHIRI has cautioned youths in Livingstone against being used by politicians.

Speaking at a PF Livingstone Youth Mobilization Rally, yesterday, Mrs. PHIRI said youths instead must embrace PF which has demonstrated the desire to better the lives of youths in the country.

Mrs. PHIRI has further cautioned the media in the country against twisting stories to suit their agenda.

And PF National Mobilization Deputy Chairperson, GEOFFREY MWAMBA, has called on youths in Southern province to support the government of the day.

Mr. MWAMBA says President EDGAR LUNGU has ruled the country well, and that his good leadership has continued attracting members who once left like him, to rejoin the PF.

Mr. MWAMBA pledged One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Kwacha as youth empowerment for the PF youths in Livingstone.

And PF Member of the Central Committee, KEBBY MBEWE, applauded Livingstone Constituency for having exhibited true democratic tendencies in the province.

And PF Southern Province Chairperson, LAWRENCE EVANS, and his Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary, TRYMORE MWEENDA, said the party in the province recognizes that youths are key to the PF retaining power next year.

Meanwhile, former Defence Minister, RICHWELL SIAMUNENE has appealed to youths in the province to join the PF.

Over Six Hundred people have defected to the PF from the opposition political parties, at the Livingstone PF Youth Mobilization Rally.

PF Mobilasation rally
PF Mobilasation rally
PF Mobilasation rally
PF Mobilasation rally

Zambia Police Arrest a Worker From SPAX company for trying to organise the Protest

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Zambia Police Arrest a Worker From SPAX company for trying to organise the Protest

Police in Chingola have warned and cautioned a construction worker at SPAX Garage for seditious practices. Chuma Mushinta 31 of house number 75 Kwacha road in Chingola works for Spax Garage which belongs to Kabaso Mulenga popularly known as SPAX who is facing murder charges.

Copperbelt Police Commissioner, Charity Katanga said that Mushinta was warned and cautioned yesterday. Ms. Katanga told ZNBC News in a statement that Police also retrieved 13 out the 25 t-shirts from Jerabos, which were printed by Mushinta.

She said this follows information that some JERABOS , belonging to SPAX had teamed up and were planning to protest against the apprehension of SPAX.

Ms. Katanga explained that they wanted to air their displeasure against Government on Saturday yesterday when SPAX was scheduled to be brought to Chingola by Police.

Ms. Katanga said Mushinta allegedly received instructions from SPAX workers believed to be currently in LUSAKA.

She has since warned that those who want to protest will be arrested.

Students and youths hail President Lungu’s State of Nation Address

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Students and youths hail President Lungu’s State of Nation Address

Students and Civil Society Movement have welcomed the intention by President Lungu to set up the Commission of Inquiry into the death of citizens killed by mob justice and the police during the period of chemical gassing.

During a Press Briefing held at Mika Lodge jointly addressed by Zambia National Students Union President Misheck Kakonde and National Youth Anti-Corruption Movement Executive Director Paul Lungu, the civil society movement called for the inquiry to be extended into the killing of 4th Year UNZA Student Verspers Shimunzila, Mugal and Timothy Hakuyu.

The students said the Inquiry should probe allegations that that the chemical gassing was sponsored by the State as alleged by Mr. Hichilema or those who seek regime change as alleged by others.

“To allege that the State sponsored the gassing and the State has kept mute on is not only worrying but also leaving citizens to guess whether these allegations are true. Since the Police are not probing into these allegations, the Commission of Inquiry should listen to all those who have made these allegations and be able to put the question of who has sponsored this kind of terrorism to an end,” Said Mr. Kakonde.

Meanwhile the students have hailed President Lungu’s continued commitment to reform the Constitution in order to allow youths, persons with disabilities and women to participate in parliamentary reforms through the Mixed Member Proportional Representation System.

“The special gift our Members of Parliament and Government can give to our youth and women this month of women and the youth, is the Mixed Member Proportional Representation System. As we join our women in celebrating women’s day and later as we celebrate our own day this week, we implore our leaders to deliver this most precious gift to us,” said the student leader.

And NYACM Executive Director, Paul Lungu, said President Lungu’s call to scale up the fight against corruption must be embraced by everyone especially that there has been a commitment to prosecute all persons regardless of their status in society.

“Contrary to some allegations that the President has protected those who engage in corrupt activities, the past few years we have seen some government officials, including ministers and former ministers taken into court. While we firmly believe that there must never be sacred cows in this fight against corruption, we wish to caution against using this fight as a weapon to settles scores – politically or otherwise,” said Mr. Lungu.

The civil society organisations have called on youth and women to celebrate the month of March by constantly reflecting on President Lungu’s message to Parliament.

“We ask our youths to stay away from abusing drugs, from tribal talk, hate speech and propaganda to becoming productive citizens. We must refuse to be used as youths in terror activities such as chemical gassing, just to propel other people’s political ends. We also call on the President and his administration to embrace more youths in national development and decision-making. This must commence by appointing more youths in leadership positions and reconstituting the Board of the National Youth Council, as a matter of urgency,” said Lungu.

Mazembe Fire Charles Musonda

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Charles Musonda has been fired as TP Mazembe assistant coach together with head coach Pamphile Mihayo.

The duo were relieved of their duties on Saturday evening just hours after Mazembe’s 2019/2020 CAF Champions League quarterfinal exit earlier in the day at home in Lubumbashi.

Mazembe beat Raja Casablanca of Morocco 1-0 on Saturday but bowed out 2-1 on aggregate.
The last eight elimination came after the five-time champions made a semifinal exit last season.

Musonda was appointed assistant coach 14 months ago while Mihayo, who is also DR Congo CHAN team coach, has been at the helm since 2017 when he also lifted the CAF Confederation Cup.

Technical director Drazen Cvetkovic has been appointed coach.

Government thinking of bringing in another Railway Operator

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Government thinking of bringing in another Railway Operator

Zambia says it is in the process of revising rules and regulations governing operations of the railway sector in the country to provide for multi-player participation.

Transport and Communications Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu says the revised Act will provide for the separation of railway operations from the maintenance of rail infrastructure.

He was speaking in Johannesburg, South Africa when he transited from Namibia where he was leading government officials on a benchmark of TransNamib Railway in the area of vertical separation of operations.

Mr. Lungu noted that currently, railway line operations in Zambia were being operated and maintained by one operator who was Zambia Railways Limited.

He said the separation of operations will promote open access on the railway to allow for both public and private sector participation.

Mr. Lungu mentioned that the government was confident that the revision of the Railway Act of 1994 will promote open access to the railway, therefore, leading to its high utilization and reduced deterioration of road infrastructure.

He said revising current laws governing the railway sector was in line with the country’s revised National Transport Policy of May 2019

Meanwhile, Mr. Lungu says the government was concerned with the low levels of business at its Dry Port at Walvis bay.

He said the Concessionaire has been engaged to involve the Zambian business community to maximize benefits to Zambian people.

Mr. Lungu mentioned that the government has since put in place a committee to provide oversight on the concession as well as spearhead future investments for the infrastructure

Today’s Message: Listen Closely and Follow

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Today’s Message: Listen Closely and Follow

Today’s Scripture

“…I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you…”
(Psalm 32:8, NIV)

Listen Closely and Follow

Many times we don’t realize that God is speaking to us. We feel an impression on the inside, a prompting to be good to someone. That’s not random. That’s God talking to us. Or, maybe you’re in a situation where you feel an uneasiness. Something says, “It’s not right. Stay away.” That’s not just your nerves. It’s God protecting you. Don’t ignore it, don’t talk yourself out of it; just obey. If you’ll follow that still, small voice, God says He will guide you along the best path for your life. If we’re listening to His still, small voice—the promptings, the suggestions, the alarms—He will save us from heartache and pain. He’ll lead us into promotion and favor. Too often we feel these impressions on the inside, but we dismiss them as not making sense, or override or overanalyze them. Don’t talk yourself out of it. Just obey. Anytime you obey, a blessing will always follow.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for loving me and for speaking to my heart. Thank You for giving me an inner ear to know right from wrong. Help me to be sensitive to Your still, small voice and hear it with clarity, to hear any alarms, promptings, and suggestions, and to be quick to obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

International Women’s Day: Women Lobby outlines areas that needs Strengthening in Zambia to Achieve Gender Parity

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International Women’s Day: Women Lobby outlines areas that needs Strengthening in Zambia to Achieve Gender Parity

By Ms. Beauty Katebe National Womens’s Lobby Board Chairperson

March 8th is International Women’s Day (IWD) and Zambia, like other countries commemorates this important day annually. The International Women’s Day draws world attention to the status of women across the world and the challenges that they continue to face in realizing their rights.

Commemorating International Women’s Day has helped to bring to light some of the injustices that women face and compelled the recognition of Gender Equality and Equity as a development imperative that is requiring urgent action.

The 2020 International Women’s Day is being commemorated under the theme: I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights. The theme speaks to the need to fully embrace gender equality in order to make possible the realization of women’s rights.

Women all over the world continue to lag behind their male counterparts in all spheres of national development. Zambia continues to have a higher gender inequality when compared to African medium developed countries. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zambia has a Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.540, placing it at 131 out of 162 countries.

While it should be noted that gender gaps have slightly reduced in areas such as access to health and education, the difference between women and men in economic participation and politics is still significant.

It is a known fact that discrimination against women is embodied in cultural norms and practices which inhibit women’s socio-economic and political progression.

25 YEARS AFTER THE BEIJING DECLARATION AND PLATFORM FOR ACTION

As we commemorate the International Women’s Day, we are also reflecting on 25 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Zambia has attained some commendable milestones especially with regards the legal framework which has contributed to the improvement of the status of women. Zambia is now one of the countries in the region with a strong policy and legal framework for mainstreaming of gender, due to the progressive policies and laws that the country has enacted which include the following:

  • The revised Gender Policy of 2014 which provides for equal opportunities for women and men to actively participate and contribute to national development.
  • The Re-entry Policy of 1997 has enabled girls who fall pregnant while in school to return to school after giving birth so that they can complete their education. This has resulted in an increase in the number of girls who complete secondary education. This has resulted in more women participating in the social, economic and political affairs of the country.
  • The Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 which confirms the equal worth of women and men and their rights to freely participate in, determine and build a sustainable political, legal, economic and social order. The Constitution further provides for values and national principles which include equity, equality and non-discrimination.
  • The enactment of the Gender Equity and Equality Act, No. 22 of 2015 has further strengthened the legal framework for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls and empowers women to participate fully in the public and private affairs of the country.
  • The enactment of the Gender Based Violence law in 2011 which has protected women and girls who are raped and defiled.

In 2017, Zambia had its first female Vice-President when Ms. Inonge Mutukwa Wina was appointed to the second highest position in the country. The country has also seen more women taking up leadership positions in professions that have historically been the preserve of men such as the judiciary where the Chief Justice is now a woman and Ministry of Finance, which has had twice been headed by women. We have also seen law enforcement agencies like the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Zambia Police Service and the Anti Corruption Commission being headed by women.

AREAS WHICH REQUIRE STRENGTHENING FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS TO BE REALISED IN ZAMBIA

1. Political Participation

Zambia continues to be highly inequitable in political decision-making representation. There are still huge differences in the way men and women assume and share power and authority, as men continue to be more involved in national and higher-level politics, compared to women. Women’s involvement in politics is still fairly low with few women seeking elective political office. Currently, there are only 26 female Members of Parliament while remaining 138 are males. The situation is similar at the lower levels of political leadership with only two female Mayors out of a total of 17 possible positions. There are 16 female Deputy Mayor/ Council Chairpersons from a total of 111 positions and out of a total 1,624 Councillor positions in Zambia, only 125 are taken by women.
The low-level participation of women in decision-making positions in Zambia has contributed to the country’s inability to adequately prioritize women’s issues, resources and empowerment.

2. Social Standing

In Zambia, culture continues to play a big role in perpetuating gender inequalities. There are still differences in the way society perceives women and men with the former being considered as inferior. Roles continue to be differentiated by sex despite many women attaining economic and academic empowerment.
This has had an adverse effect on women’s ability to advance and effectively participate in public life. This has also meant that men continue to be given priority when opportunities for progression arise. It has been noted that failure by some men to assimilate the dynamic role of women in this evolving society has contributed to the up-surge in gender-based violence (GBV) cases.

3. Economic Empowerment

Differences continue to exist between men and women with regards access to high paying careers and control of financial and other productive resources like credit and land ownership. The ZNWL Gender Audit of 2018 highlights glaring disparities between men and women holding high paying jobs in both the formal and informal sectors.
Women still account for the largest number of the poor and vulnerable in Zambia. According to the Living Conditions Monitoring Survey (2015), overall poverty was marginally higher among women in Zambia at 56.7 percent, compared to the male population at 53.8 percent. Poverty amongst women continues to be a hindrance to their empowerment as they are unable to advance academically and often fail to access skills development opportunities.

4. Education Attainment

According to the 2010 Census, males have a higher literacy rate (73.2 percent) than females (67.3 percent). The Gender Policy of 2014 attributes the lower literacy rates among females to the higher dropout rates and lower completion rates for girls compared to boys. Further, access by females to tertiary education in Zambia still remains a challenge due to limited places available in the few institutions and the high cost of tuition.
The situation is compounded by the fact that there are still clear differences in educational expectations of boys and girls.

5. Gender Based Violence

Women continue to account for the largest number of victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The number of GBV cases being recorded by the Zambia Police have continued to increase over the years. According to their third quarter statistics for 2019 released by Victim Support Unit, a total of 6,788 cases of GBV cases were recorded, compared to 6,114 cases recorded in 2018 over the same period. This showed an increase by 674 cases or 9.9%.
Further, trends have indicated that violence perpetrated by intimate partners and close family members, is the most prevalent type of GBV in Zambia. Such abuse contributes to diminishing the potentials of many women and girls as victims often become withdrawn and struggle to be productive.

THE ZAMBIA WE WANT

It is important to acknowledge that closing the gender gap by addressing the areas highlighted above is critical to the attainment and sustenance of inclusive growth and development. This is particularly important to Zambia, where women make up more than half of the population. For this to happen, there is also need for effective enforcement of progressive laws on Gender Equality. This entails ensuring that systems, structures and institutions mandated with effecting regulation on gender equality are adequately resourced and capacitated to effectively undertake this task.

Furthermore, public knowledge about the development benefits associated with gender equality in leadership and decision making also needs to be improved. There is need for continuous sensitization of citizens on various negative social and cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality.
The Government should consider investing greatly in providing targeted and comprehensive educational opportunities that will promote gender equality by ensuring that no one is left behind.

‘’I am Generation Equality” is about being part of a gender equality conscious generation that is intentional in promoting gender justice. Generation Equality is not only about promoting values of gender equality but also applying these values in daily interactions.
An equality conscious generation considers women, men, the youth and persons with disabilities as being equal and deserving of the enjoyment of all rights and opportunities for advancement.  Both men and women can be part of the Generation Equality Movement as they have a role to play in the realization of gender equality. It is possible to have a generation of Zambians who support values of equality and it begins with you and me.

CONCLUSION

In 2020, ZNWL implores every citizen, especially the young people, to take time to learn more about generation equality and why it is an important aspect of the development process.

As this time of the year, we also celebrate all the women who have contributed to the advancement of the welfare of women both locally and internationally, we applaud the women that continue to challenge the status quo and advocate for the full realization of women’s rights.

We wish you all, the women of Zambia, a happy International Women’s Day.

Stuttering Champions Zesco United Eye Number Three Spot

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Defending champions Zesco United’s story so far of 2020 continues on Sunday when they host Green Buffaloes at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The eight-time champions’ ambitions of an unprecedented fourth successive league title defence are looking uncertain.

Zesco head into this weekend Week 23 fixture with just two wins from their last eleven league games since the start of 2020.

And on Sunday, the defending champions embark on also trying to end a four-match winless drought since they beat bottom of the table Mufulira Wanderers 2-0 exactly a month ago on February 2 away at Shinde Stadium.

Since then, Zesco has collected three draws and a 2-1 away loss at fellow top four side Napsa Stars on February 23.

Furthermore, Zesco have toiled to two successive draws against Power Dynamos (1-1) and Lumwana Radiants (0-0).

And the pressure is very much on Zesco heading into this game especially after beating 11th placed Buffaloes 3-1 away in the first leg on October 20 in Lusaka.

Victory on Sunday over Buffaloes will see Zesco rise from fifth to third on 44 points, two behind leaders Forest Rangers with ten and nine games left respectively.

Zesco will displace Green Eagles to number four only on goal difference.

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