By KALOBWE BWALYA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has challenged men to join forces with the women who have been in the forefront of ensuring that the rights, capabilities and responsibilities of all the family members are respected and reinforced.
President Lungu has also said women, are the change agents orienting other women and girls to aim high, to dream and aspire for leadership positions, to know that they are part of the development process able to take up any vocation, political and profession they so desire without feeling intimidated.
President Lungu has since called on all Zambians to play a role in instilling good behaviour in children for them to grow into responsible adults.
The President said this in his keynote speech during a virtual address at the Women’s Day celebrations held at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre under the theme women in leadership achieving an equal future in the Covid -10 world.
Mr Lungu said despite Government efforts to promote gender equality, it is sad that women continue to experience social barriers to participate in leadership and decision-making.
Mr Lungu said there is need to uphold women’s rights and fully leverage the potential of women leadership in efforts to achieve the set development agenda.
He also said this year’s theme is also aligned with the priority theme of the 65th session of the commission on the status of women entitled “women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”
President Lungu also said by promoting gender equality and participation of women and girls, his government’s aim is to enhance the ability of women to participate as leaders at various levels.
“To this effect, my government through the Ministry of Gender will continue to coordinate the implementation of various gender mainstreaming and empowerment interventions to ensure women and girls’ rights are promoted and protected. I wish to pay gratitude to all the women of Zambia for the role you play in keeping families together, especially during this very difficult time when we are faced with the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, never underestimate the power of a woman,” said President Lungu.
And Mr Lungu disclosed that Government has put in place a number of programmes to support the empowerment of women and girls, such as, the 50:50 land allocation policy being implemented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources; and the agricultural development and value chain enhancement programme, among others.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission chairperson Mudford Mwandenga said more women are likely to lose their jobs and businesses due to Covid-19 pandemic as most of the positions of women in society are in seriously jeopardy.
Mr Mwandenga has since called on all women to report any form of abuse to the Human Rights Commission for action.
NGOCC chairperson Mary Mulenga said as long as women remained oppressed, women and children will remain under pressure.
