The Patriotic Front in Chawama Constituency has endorsed Tasila Lungu Mwansa as its parliamentary candidate for the August 12 General elections.

The decision was announced at the unveiling ceremony of the 2021 elections PF Mobilization committee in Chawama constituency.

And In a speech read on her behalf, Mrs Mwansa called for hard work and unity among the PF members in Chawama.

“Altogether, we should start articulating the powerful vision president Edgar Lungu has for the entire country and for the betterment of Chawama,” she said.

Mrs Mwansa is currently serves as Nkoloma Ward 1 Councillor and also PF Chawama Constituency Chairperson.

And PF Chawama Constituency Vice Chairperson Rodgers Nkole said Chawama is very critical to the party hence the reason to endorse someone who is salable.

“We are giving you someone who is popular and will help the party retain the seat here in Chawama Constituency,” he said.

And Chawama Ward 2 Councillor Leonard Sikombe said Mrs Mwansa’s endorsement has been done on merit due to the outstanding works she has done.

The Chawama seat is currently held by Lawrence Sichalwe.

The Zambian Institute of Governance and Civil Liberties Advocacy Platform (ZIGCLAP) Chief Executive Officer Francis Chipili has encouraged political parties to demonstrate their democratic and constitutional right, through the successful holding of intra party elections before the general elections.

ZANIS reports that Mr Chipili observed that some political parties in the country have not held conventions since they were formed, hence encouraging them this year to hold intra party elections, before the general elections.

He said the constitution has provisions that dictate that all political parties must regularly conduct intra party democratic elections, hence the need for all political parties to follow the law.

“It is unacceptable that some political parties have candidates who always go unopposed and this is because their parties have not conducted any elections for over 10 years, this is a clear display of intimidation within the parties,” Mr Chipili said.

He added that it is important for political parties to hold intra party elections, in order to elect candidates who are popular among the people.

“Intra party elections can make political parties select candidates who are popular and can be put into positions such as the presidency and other important positions,” Mr Chipili said.

He further explained that it is important that political parties demonstrate to the Zambians that they are democratic by practicing intra party democracy.

“Zambia is a democratic country hence the need for every political party aspiring to led the country to observe this important factor we enjoy in the country,” he said.

Mr Chipili has since called on all political parties that are governments in waiting, to observe the democratic tenets of electing leaders at party level before they contest at national level.

The Non-Governmental Coordinating Committee in Mongu district in Western province has bemoaned the low levels of women participation in politics in the country.

NGOCC Regional Coordinator, Sandra Maputa said this yesterday during the virtually commemoration of women’s day celebration held in the minister’s conference hall under the theme, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in the COVID-19 World”.

“This day gives us an opportunity to address the leaders to redress some of the policy and legal frameworks that negatively affect our welfare. This forum also accords us a chance to address traditional leaders on some of the negative cultural and norms that have perpetuated patriarchy and the marginalization of girl and women from both participating and benefitting from the various development processes in the country,” said Ms Maputa.

Ms Maputa said according to the Zambia National Assembly statistics, only 26 females are Members of Parliament representing 16 percent, while out of 19 constituencies in Western province, only one constituency has a female lawmaker with 13 female councillors adding that the numbers were low and not a reflection of female representation in decision making.

“As a women movement, we remain concerned about the systemic discrimination of women from participating and benefitting from the national cake. The exclusion of women leaves behind a vital partner in development and is a serious social injustice,” she said.

Ms Maputa said the commemoration of women’s day will provide the much needed impetus that is required to maintain the momentum of the women’s movement towards achieving the aspirations that are shared by the women of Western province.

“Our quest to participate in decision making is not from without. As women, we remain at the receiving end of the lopsided policies and the economic malaise of the country. We are also deeply concerned about the corona virus which has ravaged the World but is disproportionately affecting women and girls,” Ms Maputa said.

Ms Maputa has however, appealed to the Ministry of General education to upgrade more primary schools to combined secondary schools in order to reduce on long walking distances to schools by girls adding that the mushrooming of unprotected boarding schools should be regulated as they are contributing to the increase of cases of child marriages and teenage pregnancies in Western province.

And Western Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mukwambuyu Katungu said government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu is celebrating the acts of courage and determination exhibited by women in various sectors in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Mr Katungu said women have brought different experiences and skills that have made irreplaceable contributions to decisions, policies and laws that work better for all the people in the country.

“As we strive to attain a prosperous middle income status by 2030, there is need for us to provide opportunities for improving the wellbeing of all Zambians without leaving anyone behind. As government, our vision 2030 embodies values of socio-economic justice, underpinned by the principles of gender responsive sustainable development, respect for human rights and peaceful co-existence, among others,” said Mr Katungu.

Mr Katungu said government in Western province is achieving the promotion of gender mainstreaming in development projects and empowerment schemes through the Cashew Infrastructure Development project and the Pilot project for climate resilience.