Change atititude towards politics, women told

Sat, 27 May 2017 11:06:33 +0000

THERE is need for women to change their attitude towards politics if Zambia is to attain the 50/50 gender parity by 2030, Zambia Women’s Lobby National Chairperson Beauty Katebe has said.

Ms Katebe charged that Zambia still had few women Members of Parliament because most women were not interested in politics and viewed it as a ‘dirty game’.

She encouraged women to develop interest in politics if their voices were to be heard.

“Women must change the negative political culture in the country, they should come out and stop complaining in the background, they should be ready to make a difference.

“Women being more compassionate and caring will be sensitive to the needs of the masses, they should come together to put an end to some pitfalls in the political setting.

“Zambian women need to show more commitment to political participation in the country, we have been saying this for a long time and also women aspiring to take part in politics should study the few that have been successful in leadership to enable them perform well,” she said.

And Ms Katebe has advised women already in politics not to feel discouraged by the discrimination that comes with politics.

She said discrimination against women was global and that women seeking leadership positions were assumed to be wayward.

She added that that persistence and perseverance were key to making women reach the highest positions in politics.

Ms Katebe also called for opportunities to be given to women to enable them add their voices to a number of issues in the country.

“Our leaders need the political will to do that,” she said.