Northwestern Province Principal Gender Officer, Limpo Sishekanu, has encouraged women in the area to be proactive by taking a lead and actively participating in the electoral process ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Ms Sishekanu said women play a key role in issues of national governance hence the need for them to consider vying for leadership positions even those perceived to be for men in the forthcoming elections.
She said this in Chavuma when she paid a courtesy call on District Commissioner Geoffrey Kasonda.
“Women too must vie and stand for positions like Members of Parliaments, councilors and mayors in the 2026 general elections,” she said.
Ms Sishekanu said it was through vying for leadership positions that women can understand the challenges females face especially on gender based violence.
She said the government through her department was ready to give women all the necessary support as they participate in the electoral system and take up leadership positions.
Ms Sishekanu further advised women not to relent and go through the entire electoral process from registering as voters to the time of voting.
And Chavuma District Commissioner, Geoffrey Kasonda, said he wants to see more women coming on board to participate in decision making positions and in issues of national importance.
Mr Kasonda has since called on women to stand firm and support each other.
Meanwhile, Mr Kasonda said cases of gender based violence in the district were high and went unreported due to the long distance victims have to cover to the police station situated 11 kilometres away from the central business district.
“Some cases go unreported for fear of being victimised, especially among male forks,” he said.
