The Non-Governmental Organisations has jointly condemned two Patriotic Front (PF) members, Muniri Zulu and Chanoda Ngwira for their sexist comments against Minister of Information and Boradcasting Service, Dora Siliya in audio recordings that have gone viral on social media.
According to the statement released to the media, the NGOs said that the sexist comments insinuated that women, and Ms Siliya in particular, can only function well when in a sexual relationship with a man.
Below is the full statement
PRESS STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE SEXIST AND MISOGYNISTIC ATTACKS MADE AGAINST INFORMATION MINISTER HON. DORA SILIYA
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), jointly with undersigned civil society organisations, condemn in the strongest terms the sexist and misogynistic attacks by named Patriotic Front (PF) members Messrs Muniri Zulu and Chanoda Ngwira against Information and Broadcasting Minister Hon. Dora Siliya in audio recordings that have gone viral on social media.
The statements made by Mr. Zulu and Mr. Ngwira insinuate that women, and Hon. Siliya in particular, can only function well when in a sexual relationship with a man.
The sexist comments are not only disrespectful but an affront and an insult to womanhood. We have sadly noted that women are particularly susceptible to this kind of attack which aims at demeaning them in ways that men are rarely exposed to.
These statements are offensive to all women regardless of their political affiliation and must be condemned. It is these kind of sexist comments that continue to deter women from participating in leadership and other decision-making positions in Zambia, particularly politics.
It is saddening that the moral fabric of our society is being eroded by such disgruntled Zambian youths who now feel entitled to openly insult their own mothers.
We find it unacceptable for cadres from the ruling party, or indeed any political party, to disrespect women in such a manner.
As civil society we demand that the Patriotic Front takes immediate action against their named members for disparaging women and publicly condemn these statements.
We also call upon the Republican President Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who has publicly declared his commitment to supporting women in leadership, to distance himself from such retrogressive male chauvinists.
We urge all political players to debate and discuss their differences in a more civil manner devoid of sexism and misogyny.
As civil society and the women’s movement we advocate for an equal playing field based on issues rather than personal matters that are irrelevant to the political discourse.
We believe that women, just like men, have an inherent right to participate in the political process of the country.
We therefore call upon all citizens not to tolerate the sexual bullying of women in leadership by disgruntled elements.
Signed by:
ENGWASE B. MWALE
For/Behalf of:
Law Association of Zambia (LAZ)
Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ)
Action Aid Zambia (AAZ)
Caritas Zambia
Civil Society Constitutional Agenda (CiSCA)
Alliance for Community Action (ACA)
Women for Change (WfC)
Young Women Christian Association (YWCA)
Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD)
They should be jailed.
I see a lot in
Myself when I see Dora. She exemplifies excellency of the highest kind.
I adore her
Thanks
BB2014,2016
With zero apology for misogynists, I support the role of women in politics and careers period. The Zambian society has long passed the age of devaluing and dismissing women confining them to sexual theaters. The ruling party cannot and should not be malleable or bending to accommodate subnormal misogynists. Promote politics of competitive ideas and objectivity.
Let our Girl child arise and freely serve in any capacity.
#Misgomy is wrong.
Womanhood is what…?
What about
Manhood??
Foolish comment
The President has stayed Mute on this matter as well. Now we know what the Kampyongos and Mwamba’ lies. Anyways Dora said gave us more insight tho Lungu has no ethics nor Morals. The man has no house in Petauke were he claims to come from?? but wants to build a Manson in Swaziland?? Useless. Ok $3.9 M build a hotel and create jobs. Mr. from Chibuku, to Jameson and now Riches.
What happened.
Please leave Dora alone! She is one of the most hard-working ministers in government! Don’t judge anyone by their genda! Stay focused madam and on the job! Your government is changing Zambia daily and is on the right track to transforming this nation to among the most developed in Africa. Meanwhile, he (the loser) will never be president! Forget about him! He is wasting our time!
Dora, one of the most hardworking women in government?
What has she accomplished in public office?
If she were to disappear today, what would she remembered for?
This goes for all ministers. They are just a liability. Deadwood!
Sharon Mulenga, thank you for your hatred on Mr HH and the UPND. All your Insults are welcome. However, I want to remind you that those people in the UPND including their Leader(s) you hate with passion, were created by GOD IN HIS OWN IMAGE just like you Sharon Mulenga. Judgement for each one of us is coming! I wish you well Sharon.
Some MPs are losers too! The behave like those who love to walk out everytime!
Useless
What was said? If it was attacking Dora, do not make it an all woman thing. Deal with things individually.
Also wondering – is LAZ an NGO?
NGO’s have double standards, have they watched a video where Kampamba and minister of labour singing we mwanakashi wamu pamba in Chilanga against their fellow woman who is standing on UPND? I do not belong to any political party but I am just trying to tell the women in these NGO’s not to take sides. Dora’s language against Sata did not represent women of dignity either and you never sat down with her to make her apologize and up to day Dora has never said Sorry to Sata or his family and she is enjoying the fruits of his labour. Ulemu ubwela na wemwine.
Charmaine did it, so they are not wrong. She is just foul. You are foul too for supporting her nonsense.
PF IS A GROUPING OF DELINQUENTS JUST SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE; ‘UKWALOLA UMWELA EKO TWALOLA’
SOMEONE SAYS ‘ CHIPANTE PANTE’, HE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!
NGO FOR TODAY IS A ‘CLONE’ OF PF, FINISHI, CHAPWA, KWAMANA, KYAPWA…..IT IS GONE! PF IS GONE!
This NGOCC is as useless to women causes as they come for it only selectively speaks when the affluent are involved and not for the everyday average women folk that this NGO uses to source monetary support
Yaba
IT is sad and very bad behaviour by these PF members how can junior members insult a serving minister in that manner and the president is just looking at this , davis mwila is watching.
I have never seen an desciplined party like PF in this country.
just the other day lubinda and jean kapata are been accused of silly things by PF cadrers and davis mwila take pleasure to intertain these chaps as usual president lungu does not show any seriousness to stop this behaviour in party.
am really saddened , how can this zulu and ngwila insult our sister like that and president lungu just watches this lawlesness in the party
Hon dora siliya is amongest many eastern province MPS who salvaged the PF from that short stay in power after the death of president sata.
Why insulting a lady like…
They have no respect for their leader and the only thing they fear is being pushed out of the corruption circle like Mulenga Sata and Sampa…Lazy Lungu has zero leadership qualities merely a tool placed there for corruption.
How can you respect someone you see drunk, you steal together, womanize together ….its laughable!!
Clear lack of leadership at the top …if the General promotes a Sergeant to Captain and they soldiers ridicule him in public who is to blame? There is no leadership in this party and the junior cadres like Muniri Zulu know it ..the only thing holding these crooks together is corrupt dealings.
@jay jay
U R THE CYNIC IN CHIEF
AND VERY SICK!!!
#9 JJ, you are not thinking that h.h is a better option, are you?
Next article please!!!
HH would be the same. I be never seen a Upnd manifesto that promises the opposite of what PF does
All political parties in Zambia will promise one thing and one thing only: eliminate poverty at household level. That is the only song to sing otherwise you will be addressing irrelevant issues. The crux is in the how.
Often times the gullible electorate believes a t-shirt and or a piece of chitenge material is an upfront payment. It accepts mediocrity. Over the years, that has become the chorus.
No woman can be adopted or promoted without having an affair ..a FACT ITS A GIVE AND TAKE GAME ..CAN A WOMAN ENDURE MILITARY TRAINING WITHOUT FAVOUR AND APPOINTED TO BRIGADIER WITHOUT BOTTOM FAVOR, PLEASE THIS IS JUST ENGLISH WRITING THE FACT IS U ALL KNOW WHAT GOES ON, I WAS IN SAME CLASS WITH VICTORIA SHE ROSE TO WHERE SHE IS NOW ASK HER HOW
But Dora is by far much more cute than your wife weeeee
With due respect all our women deserve respect be it they are politicians or not , it is wrong to humiliate our women just because they are women ; Women contribute greatly to our lives in all areas .
One they are our mothers our sisters our daughters they shouldn’t be mistreated or insulted just because they have chosen to be in politics.
LT writing again. They assume everyone has had access to the said recording. Why not post the link for us or quote what was said. I couldn’t post an informed comment because I don’t know exactly what is alleged to have been said. Just a general comment though to say that misogynists have no place in today’s #Me too movement error.
Having said that I wished these NGOs would show the same zeal and gang up against the as rampant corruption of Lungu. And if Dora Siliya would be telling lies to defend Lungu and behave like Sarah Huckabee Sanders then she needs to be called out regardless of her gender.
Honestly speaking PF cadres have no respect for their ministers or MPs except the ones that use them in dubious ways. Is there no leaders in PF to tame these unruly ill manared cadres. Women like men should be respected and I am certain there are organs within the party these cadres can take their cases to without using social media to discredit women. shame on bo Inonge and Mumbi Phiri for not standing up for their fellow woman, as for gogo Inonge the first time your cadres stripped a woman in front of you and you were quiet on the matter. You madame are just a figure head with no power or clout in you. Respect must return to Zambia again.
That sounds like Max Chongu. His vocabulary is limited like most PF cadres so we all know the kind of words and statements he issues. Look no further. The son of a B1tch has gone to far. He needs to be tamed. Kampyongo and Judge Ireen Mambilima, come on do something guys and make sure the guy gets arrested for something stupid and ensure judges set unrealistic bail conditions respectively like you did with Siwale. Then you can send Tutwa Ngulube to rescue the scumbag. That way, he’s going to have respect for educated people like Dora Siliya. I hear the B1tch has a master’s Degree?
I meant: ” gone too far”.