LUSAKA — Justice Minister Princess Kasune has urged women aspiring for political office to contest in male-dominated constituencies rather than areas already represented by women, saying this approach would help increase female representation in Parliament.
Kasune, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Keembe Constituency, said women must adopt a strategic approach if the country is to achieve balanced leadership.
Speaking during the launch of the Voice of the People (VoP) initiative under the theme “Strengthening local voices in Constitutionalism, Governance and Democracy in Zambia,” the Minister discouraged women from concentrating their ambitions in constituencies already led by female representatives.
“Women, go where there are more men, don’t come to Keembe, I’m already there. Go where there are more men so that we can have balanced representation,” she said.
Kasune also challenged women not to settle for the 20 parliamentary seats allocated under the new constitutional amendment, urging them to push for greater inclusion.
“Can you imagine a Parliament where 50 percent are men and 50 percent are women? Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” she said.
She emphasised that women should not become complacent after securing a limited number of seats but should continue striving for more opportunities in leadership.
“Let’s not just sit at home and be relaxed because we already have some seats. Women can go beyond what we have been given,” she said.
The Minister further called on youths to take advantage of opportunities created through constitutional reforms, noting that provisions now exist to enhance representation for youths, women and persons with disabilities.
On December 18 last year, President Hakainde Hichilema assented to the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, officially enacting it into law.
The amendment seeks to revise the composition of the National Assembly by increasing constituency-based seats, in line with the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s delimitation report. It also introduces a mixed-member proportional representation system aimed at ensuring greater inclusion of women, youths and persons with disabilities in Parliament.
