ZNWL’S EXPECTATIONS FROM PRESIDENT- ELECT, EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU AND THE NEW GOVERNMENT
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) congratulates President- elect Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu on his re-election as Zambia’s 7th Republican President.
ZNWL further congratulates Vice-President Elect Ms. Inonge Wina and all other candidates that participated in the just ended elections at Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government level. We especially applaud the women who have emerged victorious at Parliamentary and local government level.
As an organization that seeks to enhance the participation of women in decision making at all levels, the following are the expectations we have of President Lungu and his new government:
1. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENDER EQUITY AND EQUALITY ACT
We expect increased efforts to actualize the provisions of the Gender Equity and Equality Act through Gender Commission which should result in enhanced mainstreaming of gender in all sectors. This is important because apart from being in the majority, women are directly affected by the social and economic challenges experienced in this country, thus their inclusion in priority setting, planning, decision making and implementation, is critical.
2. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN THE APPOINTMENT OF CABINET MINISTERS AND SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS
We expect that President Lungu will appoint a significant number of women into his cabinet. The Patriotic Front has 13 female Members of Parliament; it is therefore our hope that a considerable number of female Members of Parliament will be appointed in the next Cabinet. We further implore President Lungu to consider appointing women into key and influential government positions. The track record of women that have held influential positions in Zambia is quite good which points to the fact that women are effective leaders.
We therefore call upon the President to consider women, even as he nominates Members of Parliament from various sectors in the country.
3. PRIORITIZATION OF SECTORS THAT HAVE DIRECT BEARING ON THE LIVES OF WOMEN.
We expect the new government to work towards enhancing the status of women by investing in women’s health and focusing on improving sectors in which women are the majority such as the agriculture sector. We further expect increased emphasis on girl child education and an invigorated fight against child marriages.
4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IMF AUSTERITY MEASURES
As government prepares to enforce austerity measures in line with the International Monetary Fund aid package, we implore the government to ensure that sectors that directly affect women such as the health, agriculture and social welfare are spared to avoid the increase in the disease burden and escalation of the household poverty.
In conclusion, we reiterate our resolve to ensure that women actively participate in decision making processes at all levels in Zambia. We believe that this can be achieved if a multi-faceted approach is taken and all stakeholders are willing to apply the principles of gender equity in all sectors.
Ms. Beauty Katebe
ZNWL Board Chairperson
Good point. It’s important to partner with government of the day through suggestions like you have done.
These women are all political prostitutes. Lungu is a tyrant, a Bemba Buffon a useless alcoholic. These women would do anting for the small money this thief sends their way. Shame on these Zambians and on these so-called men of God who have sold their souls to the devil.
HE ECL president of Zambia including HH, GBM,Guy Scott e.t.c is a listening president and will surely look into your request especially that you de-campained men who practice GBV. Happy Inauguration Day!
Nawakwi presented herself for president and you rejected her. WHAT DO YOU WANT KANSHI? Let men rule, they are the HEAD after all.
Support women and work for girls and women. Implement policies for women development and stop them for relying in men for a living.
Help street women and get them to earn their own living. Help them learn skills to empower themselves.
START BY RESPECTING FELLOW WOMEN REGARDLESS OF STATUS…!
Ifyabupuba,,women… women …ubunga nga balunda women should be spared?
Ba Beauty, first sort out your women folk, only then can you demand anything from the President. As a women’s grouping, did you even support your colleague Edith in her solo attempt at becoming the first woman president of Zambia? NO! Did you as the lobby group financially support any woman to stand as MP or councillor? Probably not! The women’s lobby died with Lucy Banda and all that remains are people keen to ingratiate their appetites in the name of supporting the women cause. So, in short, sort out your house before you start giving orders to the government or the president.