Vice-President Inonge Wina has told UN Member States that the Zambian Government is committed to advancing gender equality, as demonstrated by President Edgar Lungu, to ensure that women participate at the highest level of the country’s political ranks.
Addressing the 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Vice-President Wina said the Government was working on the Gender Equality Bill, which is expected to be considered by Cabinet this year.
This is according to a media statement released by Chibaula Silwamba, First Secretary for Press and Public Relations Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations.
She said the Zambian Government enacted the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act of 2011 and amended the Penal code Act number 15 of 2005 to introduce stiffer penalties for perpetrators of sexual violence.
Mrs Wina said the change of laws were a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to abolish deep rooted violations of women’s rights, and in response to the rising levels of violence against women.
Mrs Wina informed the gathering about the death of President Michael Sata. She said Mr Sata’s visionary contribution towards the attainment of gender equality and his resolve to fighting social injustice and discrimination was unprecedented.
She said following Mr Sata’s death, Zambia lived up to its acclaimed standards of upholding internationally agreed tenets of democracy and good governance by holding free and fair presidential elections which ushered in President Lungu.
“Let me underscore my Government’s commitment to advancing Gender Equality by appointing me as Zambia’s first ever Female Vice President, a demonstration of the strong resolve by our Republican President to ensure that women participate at the highest level of political echelons in our nation,” Vice-President Wina said.
Mrs Wina said CSW59 was timely and provided opportunities for Member States to take stock of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including current challenges.
The Vice-President said Zambia has also endeavoured to enhance the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action by stimulating gender mainstreaming in the revised sixth national development plan.
She said the Government had raised the bar for engagement of women and children’s issues through establishment of the Ministry of Gender and Child Development.
“Zambia like many other countries still have challenges in implementing the platform for action in full, mainly due to a limited resource envelop and inadequate human resources,” Mrs Wina said.
The Vice-President called on the international community, cooperating partners, the private sector, religious and faith based organisations, and civil society to continue working with the Zambian Government to speed up the implementation of the ideals of the Beijing Platform of Action, the unfinished business of the millennium declaration and for the post 2015 development agenda goals and targets relating to women equality and advancement.”
Bo Inonge
Please come back, Edgar Lungu with his visionless is sick. Seems malaria is affecting him.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
In saying this, however not wishing Edgar Lungu ill, it is important that PF does not do another Donchi Kubeba sickness on the leadership if he doesn’t come back vertically.
We don’t want poor struggle like we witnessed after the death of Mr. Sata when claims where echoed by PF regrettable cadres that, one Lungu was “anointed” but realistically speaking, he was chosen by a way of lifting up hands. Therefore, Simbyakula who is currently acting should not claim that he is the so called “anointed” with power button from Lungu. So Boma Inonge should come back incase of power vacuum to the presidency.
It seems to be a custom in Zambia to elect sickling leaders as result, the economy is consistently plummeting.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
Anyway, kulakumbwako fye, she is a respectable woman that Inonge.
It is bad coincidence that she is away, and the country is being left even to people like Ngosa Siambikula. Next time Lungu should just keep respect presidency by leaving instruments to Chikwanda.
She is the one who gave us this visionless ‘ Ifintu ni Lungu’ through her injunction and certificate of adoption while she was on suspension. Useless woman. Can she lead, NO. They now have a crisis on their hands as this Lungu wont go very far with his collapsing. In their selfishness the chased Scott and other party founders.
Very good speech,Congratulations madam we are proud of you and mother zambia,come home now that you finished your presentattion speech, we are missing you
Anyoko my friend,
if it’s not too much trouble can you please post a video clip of the speech on YouTube? Maybe I can watch it the weekend of July 5-6, over some cold beers.
Don’t be in a rush Bomahe, Chagwa auka, enjoy NewYork not far from my street. You are the Proud of mother Zambia “They say it’s never too late keep and keep on”
If into knee Lungu! Even a mosquito can be if into!
The Skeleton Key
~206~
Why do you want to kick the sick man with your knee?
We feel very proud to have such a competent Vice President. So graceful and authoritative. His Excellency picked his running mate well. This is a fine example of what women can achieve.
Her battles for PF proved her a formidable solider on the battle field, equal,to the best man.
Her cunning and guile vanquished her pompous enemies off field.
It is apt such a wonderful woman who is at the very centre of our political history, now stands in high office to guide is along.
It is apt such a wonderful woman who is at the very centre of our political history, now stands in high office to guide US along.
And very elegant is she!!
VERY ELEGANT INDEED MA INONGE.