First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa has implored women in the country to remain assertive and be advocates for positive change to the many challenges they face.
Mrs. Mwanawasa said women should be proud of their sex adding that they should not envy to be men in order to succeed in life.
Mrs. Mwanawasa said this at state house in Lusaka today when, Former wife to South Africa’s freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela paid a courtesy call on her.
The First lady said women should work hard to fight for gender equity adding that men should also partner with women in fostering national development.
She observed that the visit to Zambia by Mrs Mandela is an honor as she is a living legend adding that the visit will remain in Zambia’s history book.
Mrs. Mwanawasa hoped that Mrs. Mandela’s visit will further cement the existing relationship between Zambia and South Africa.
And Mrs Mandela noted that women in Zambia who are the majority over the men fork have the potential to bring about positive change.
Mrs Mandela added that African women should be in the forefront in resolving conflicts as they are the ones who bear the sufferings of war.
She also commended Zambia for liberation struggle adding that South Africa could not have got independence without the assistance from the people of Zambia.
In another development Government says there is need for women to access financial resources as well as other resources to enhance their capability in contributing to national development.
Lands minister, who is also Kafue Member of Parliament, Bradford Machila, said government recognizes the role women play in national development.
Mr. Machila said this during the Lusaka Province Administration commemoration of the International Women’s day in Kafue today.
He called on the women to take an active role in developing the society as this will be in line with the Gender policy which the government has put in place.
The minister has challenged the nation and Lusaka province administration in particular to ensure that the aspect of gender equality with special priority to women is well taken care of .
He cited Agriculture, Education, Community development and other programmes under Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) as some of the programmes which can help can empower the women and make them economic providers in their homes and the nation as a whole.
Meanwhile, Mr. Machila said the HIV/AIDS pandemic has mostly affected women due to high poverty levels among women and violence against women.
He also noted that women are in most cases the providers for the sick or orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
And speaking at the same function, Kafue district women‘s Association chairperson, Patricia Banda, appealed to the government to financially support women’s programmes if they were to be empowered economically.
Ms Banda said the women in Kafue had requested for financial assistance from government through the ministry of community development but no assistance has been forthcoming.
And Ms Banda revealed that some unscrupulous people has been collecting money from the women on pretex of obtaining funds from the donors.
Yeah, whatever. Get useful and bring me my shoes, I’m going for a beer.
elo uka yesa ku tumiza ka post ka upuba, nizaku nyoza.
oh dear maureen is fraternising with SA criminals. birds of a feather flock together
u guys are just jealous that she is getting recognition among influential people this woman is making history watch this space
Maureen and the women. Go, go, go …. We will surely support you – women.
Does it occur to you that Ms Winnie Mandela is one of a few of our liberated neighbours who actually recognizes and appreciates the value of Zambia’s sacrifice and contributions before you start calling her criminal?
I can tell #1 and #3 are very envious, jelousy humans that would never see anything positive in any one, no matter how one tries to bring out positive things to embrace Zambia. This two, are losers that are just out to damage anybody’s name.
What a shame.
*Barf*
Winnie like her husband Nelson are indeed living legends. She is above Maureen’s fame if anything!
Maureen cannot be copared to Winnie. Winnie lived through hell and her presence in our time shows how morally right she was by standing firm in supporting her husband and the ANC.
Maureen is just a sangwapo. She was a student when she met LPM and displaced his wife. As far as I am cioncerned, she is just his wife.
It is through Winnie’s stout resillience that her husband’s worldly statesmanship materialized and South Africa is what it is today.People like Ms Mwanawasa are benefiting by rubbing shoulders with this great woman of Africa and we should feel honored by that than we would if Mrs Gracia Machel of Mozambique paid similar courtesy visit. May you live long Winnie!
AHHHH ba 1st lady….lol mulantekuyna.
guys get serious u cant compare mo mo to winnie…