Mwewa’s Despicable and Degrading Stereotype Remarks Against Women in Politics

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Besides his seemingly good civic work and duty, Chitambala Mwewa is many times known for his contraversial remarks and behaviour.

He has been sued several times and has actually been convicted and gone to prison for this.

I’ve just watched a video broadcast where Mwewa claims that decent women in politics in Zambia are so rare that they could barely number two on his fingers.

I looked at the female MPs, Ministers and party leaders both in the ruling and Opposition, and many do not fit this generalised description confidently offered by Mwewa.

He says almost all the women in Zambian politics are either being abused by male gatekeepers such as Chairmen or Secretary Generals or are in unstable relationships, single or are not or cannot hold a marriage.

He also took a swipe at female youths in politics claiming that they are all slay queens.

We all know that politics in Zambia is dirty and there is determined efforts by many individuals that have joined the politics to help clean the mess and root out corruption, immorality and help steer the nation to its declared Christian status with a nation whose people fear God and actually walk and practice christian values in public life.

The trouble with Mwewa’s remarks is that he is generalising cases, brushing troubling behaviour with one single brush stroke and literally enforcing unfounded prejudice against women, the very thing that keeps women away from politics, and a matter we are fighting to encourage them to participate in politics and be part of the decision-making porcess of our country.

He also assumes that single women are immoral, stereotyping, stigmatizing, and discriminating against them for not being married.

I also recognise that there are reports that as political parties begin to adopt candidates for positions MPs, Mayors, Council Chairperson and Councillors, there are male members of political party structures or party leadership that seek sexual or corrupt favours in return for adoption.

Where there is this predatory sexual behaviour by male gatekeepers, it should immediately be reported and perpetrators named, shamed, arrested and prosecuted.

Further where there is lewd, indecent and obscene behaviour, a matter that Mwewa has also expressed concern, it is imperative that the political leadership bring this to a halt.

In my view, Mwewa must have focused his remarks on what must be done than make absurd, express unfounded stereotypes and prejudicial allegations that almost paint all women and youth in politics as highly immoral, slay queens and cannot maintain a marriage or partner relationship.

Our women require encouragement, not insults, and the nation desires that we have a moral, credible, incorruptible leadership.

It’s a tall order, but Mwewa’s insults do not help.