Zambia today joined the rest of the globe in commemorating International Women’s Day with a commitment by government to domesticate international protocols regarding girls and women in the country.

Hundreds of Women from various organisations and government institutions in Lusaka marched from the Civic Centre to the Freedom statue in commemoration of their day which falls on this day annually.

The International Women’s Day which in Zambia is mostly commemorated to reflect on the accomplishments of women towards attaining gender equality and equity has this year been celebrated under the theme, “ Time is now: Rural and Urban activists transforming women’s lives.”

Vice President Inonge Wina, who is Zambia’s first woman Vice President, graced the occasion with government’s pronouncements on how her administration is working to better the lives of women both in rural and urban areas of the country.

Mrs. Wina said her government will ensure that all international protocols regarding women and girls are domesticated in order to promote and uplift the lives of women in the country.

The Vice President said government will continue to promote women participation in the governance of the country and the growth of the economy.

She however, called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in ending all forms of discrimination and abuse of women and girls in the country.

She said stakeholders should work with President Edgar Lungu who is the African Union Champion of the campaign against child marriages and ‘He for She’ campaign to ensure women and girls are protected from any form of gender based violence.

And United Nations Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan urged Zambian women to break the silence and report crimes of gender based violence to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Ms. Rogan said a woman with the courage to break the silence is also a woman who has a vision that her life should and can be different.

She said women should no longer accept to be abused and deprived of their rights hence, the need to desist from protecting perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Non-Governmental Organizing Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Chairperson Sarah Longwe called on all Zambians to transform activism into action of the call for gender equality is to be attained.

Ms. Longwe observed that despite the commemorations of the international women’s day, gender inequality still exist in the country hence, the need for the country to do more.

She said women both in rural and urban areas still face many challenges among them, poverty, GBV and high maternal mortality rates.

Meanwhile, Government says there is need to take urgent action to ensure adequate standards of living, violence free lives, and harmful practices for women in rural areas.

In a speech read on her behalf by Mambwe District Education Board Secretary Theressa Ngoma, Mambwe District Commissioner Caroline Mwanza observed that a lot needs to be done to ensure women in rural areas have access to land and productive assets, food security and nutrition, decent work, education and health including their sexual and reproductive health rights.

ZANIS reports that the Acting District Commissioner said this during the commemoration of this year’s International women’s day running under the theme; Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives, held at the Mambwe Boma Arena today.

Ms. Ngoma pointed out women have continued to till lands and plants to feed the nation, ensure food security for their communities and build climate resilience for sustainable food security.

She however, expressed sadness that due to deep rooted gender inequalities and discrimination, women in rural areas fare worse than their counterparts in urban areas.

Ms. Ngoma thus highlighted that it is because of such inequalities that government enacted the gender equity and equality Act which seeks to promote women’s economic empowerment by improving women’s access to land, credit, seeds, fertilizers and market information in rural areas among others.

The Acting District Commissioner in this vain called on all well – meaning Zambians to join activists and consolidate government’s efforts in seizing the moment and transforming women’s lives.

She noted that women in rural areas represent an enormous potential and hence, must not be left behind in claiming their rights and improving their livelihoods and well-being.

The Ministry of Justice yesterday held a meeting on the Draft Report of the working Group on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which is aimed at rising various issues that affect the nation.

Speaking during the event Attorney General Likando Kalaluka, said the importance of the event is to engage stakeholders such as the Human Rights Defenders, Academic Institutions, Research Institute, Regional Organization and Civil Society representatives on the importance of the draft report so that they may also give out their views.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission Head of Research and Planning Foster Hamuyube has questioned government on its position concerning some of the recommendations in the draft report of the Universal Periodic Review.

Mr. Hamuyube said that some of the recommendations that were once accepted by the state in the year 2008, have now been rejected, prompting to question government on its position.

He added that it is important to note that not all recommendations in the act must be accepted as there is need to consider some important recommendations in the draft report which have an impact on the nation.

However, stakeholders expressed contentment with the Ministry on its consideration in engaging them in the draft report review.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Likando Kalaluka announced that all the comments and suggestions made by stakeholders will be looked into as the Ministry will be presenting the draft report in Geneva next week.

The Universal Periodic Review(UPR) is an exclusive manner which involves a review of the human rights recorded which, provides an opportunity for each state to declare what action they have taken to improve the human rights situation in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dora Siliya, has called on women to do something extraordinary to transform their lives.

Ms Siliya says time has come for women in the country to take centre stage in developing their families and contribute to national development.

The Minister was speaking today in Kapiri Mposhi where she joined thousands of women to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

She said the very fact Zambia has a female Vice President, and many women in high government positions means that women have fought and won their political battle and it was time to fight for economic independence.

Ms Siliya said the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day challenges women to be activists towards development by doing something extraordinary to transform lives starting from their homes.

“Activism begins in the family, Church through to government and it’s time for women to take leadership at various levels and ensure transformation takes place at all levels,” she said.

She reminded the audience that government has set targets to be achieved through the Vision 2030 which aims to see Zambia be a middle income country by then, adding that this vision can’t be achieved without full participation of women.

She emphasized that the Equity and Quality act empowers women so that they are not left behind in all sectors of economic development.

And International Women’s Day organising committee chairperson, Faith Mbaza, thanked President Edgar Lungu for appointing women in high ranking government positions including that of the Vice President, Finance Minister and Information Minister among many others.

Mrs Mbaza said the appointment of women in such high positions was indicative of President Lungu’s recognition of the important role women play in national development.

She revealed that during the week preceding to the International Women’s day, women in the district embarked on various activities including cleaning of then district hospital, police cells and government offices.

Mrs Mbaza said women in the district are working very hard to ensure that cases if Gender Based Violence is eradicate.

She called on Ms Siliya to facilitate installation of a community radio station to help women and stakeholders spread issues affecting women to far flung areas.

This year’s international Women’s Day is commemorated under the theme: Time is now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives.

Meanwhile, Women in Luwingu district in Northern Province have joined their fellow women across the country to commemorate international women’s celebration.

The women organizing committee chairperson Cleopatra Mwenya appealed to government to consider promoting women in senior government position at both district and provincial level.

Ms. Mwenya observed that most of positions at provincial and district levels are manned by men a situation she described as sad.

She said time to transform women lives in now as stated in this year’s theme which state that time is now rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives.

And Luwingu District Commissioner Patrick Chanda has appealed to women to refrain from vices that undermines women integrity such beer drinking and other vices.

Mr. Chanda said government is committed to uplift the lives of women by promoting them in senior government positions citing the appointment of Zambia’s first female Vice President Inonge Wina.

He further pointed out the promotion of Margret Mwanakatawe as Finance Minister to man the finances of the country.

Mr. Chanda appealed to women to desist from marrying off their girl child at a tender age but allow their child to attain the much needed education.

And

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby has pledged to continue to engage various relevant stakeholders in the promotion of women’s empowerment.ZNWL will continue to lobby and advocate for the full implementation of all the laws and policy provisions enacted on promoting women’s rights especially their participation in leadership and decision making.The ZNWL has called for the Gender Commission, which is provided for under article 321 of the constitution, to be fully operational to spearhead the mainstreaming of gender equality in all public and private institutions in the country. The Womens lobby has implored government to increase the coverage for empowerment and welfare programmes for women in both urban and rural areas.This is one sure way of transforming women’s lives and achieving meaningful development as women form the majority of Zambia’s population.

Below is the Full Press Statement

INTRODUCTION
March 8th is International Women’s Day (IWD). It is a day that has been set aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also brings world attention to the status of women in society and the challenges that they continue to face. The International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations in 1975.The Day has since been commemorated annually in many different countries under relevant themes which guide discourse on women’s issues. The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) joins the rest of the world in commemorating this important day.

The theme of the 2018 International Women is: Time IS Now: Rural and Urban activists transforming women’s lives. The theme speaks to the importance of activism as a means of promoting the welfare of women.

Activism is about citizens initiating actions to improve the society in which they live.It involves expressing support, discontentment or advocating for reform in the social, economic and political spheres. Activism is practiced in a number of ways including; petitions, street marches, strikes, sit-ins and picketing.

Every citizen has a civic duty to be an activist. Whether it is by giving legitimacy to the leadership through voting, working towards the creation and expansion of new laws and policies as a reformist or moving society from reform to social change as a change agent.

Now more than ever, activists have a bigger platform to promote their agenda because of the advancement in technology which offers greater possibilities for interaction of people in different geographical locations in real time.
However in order for activism to thrive, there needs to be an environment where there is tolerance of divergent views, respect for freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly and association.
ZNWL has been facilitating the transformation of women’s lives through the empowerment of women to be activists for their own issues. However, it is our firm belief that development of women cannot take place in isolation but requires the necessary backdrop of democracy, good governance, respect for the rule of law and human rights.

THE ZAMBIA WE WANT

Every Zambian must therefore embrace their activist role and advocate for the change that they desire to see.
ZNWL continues to lobby and advocate for the full implementation of all the laws and policy provisions enacted on promoting women’s rights especially their participation in leadership and decision making.
One of the key legal provisions is article 259(1) (b) of the constitution, which provides that where a person is charged with the responsibility of making an appointment or nomination to public office, that person should ensure that 50% of each gender is nominated or appointed as the case may be.

We also want to see the Gender Commission, which is provided for under article 321 of the constitution, to be fully operational to spearhead the mainstreaming of gender equality in all public and private institutions in the country.
ZNWL is also calling for the scaling -up of empowerment programmes which will focus on alleviating poverty amongst the women. While we note the many efforts that government is making in promoting women’s empowerment in rural areas through programmes such as the provision of loans to women cooperatives, tractor distribution and many other empowerment programmes, many women continue to live in abject poverty in both urban and rural areas of the country.

We therefore implore government to increase the coverage for empowerment and welfare programmes and further vary the support depending on the specific area of need of the women. This is one sure way of transforming women’s lives and achieving meaningful development as women form the majority of Zambia’s population.

CONCLUSION
Zambia National Women’s Lobby will continue to engage various relevant stakeholders in the promotion of women’s empowerment. We also endeavor to improve our programming by not only taking a multi-faceted approach but also tailoring interventions to address specific areas of need.
The attainment of the various benchmarks on gender such as the SADC Protocol and the Sustainable Development Goal number 5 are dependent on the collective will of all Zambians, let us all embrace gender equality for sustainable development.
ZNWL wishes all the women of Zambia, a happy International Women’s Day and a productive 2018.

Ms. Beauty Katebe
National Board Chairperson

Zambia has officially announced that South African entertainer Zodwa Wabantu is not welcome to perform in the country.

National Arts Council Director Maanka Chipindi said the dancer has been banned because dancing on stage without wearing panties was against public interest.

The Association says allowing Zodwa to perform in Zambia will be against the country’s national values.

In a letter to the promoter of the event, Sunset Sound Production, the Association stated that Zodwa’s invitation to Zambia will if granted, be against public interest.

The Association has since advised the promoters to appeal the decision to the Ministry of Tourism within 21 days if aggrieved with the decision.

But the Promoters of the event have protested against the decision by the National Arts Council of Zambia to bar Zodwa.
They have since appealed the decision to the Minister of Tourism and Arts who is away in Germany attending the Berlin Tourism Expo.

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has introduced a toll free line for reporting nuisances.

On Monday, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo revealed that he will soon engage the Council to step up efforts to bring sanity in the city following a massive clean up of the Central Business District by the defence forces.

Residents can now call 4747 to report nuisances and other related matters happening in their localities.

The toll free line is housed by the Public Health Department with a dedicated officer to receive and document complaints from members of the public.

According to LCC Acting Public Relations Manager George Sichimba, the service is currently available only to Zamtel subscribers.

Mr Sichimba however said the lines for Airtel and MTN subscribers will soon be activated.

He said the move has been taken following numerous complaints by members of the public that calling LCC to report nuisances using their talk time is expensive.

“The local authority values all the tips received from residents as officers of the council may not be everywhere at any given time,” Mr Sichimba said.

And the LCC has has constituted a team comprising Public Health Inspectors, Council Police and State Police to conduct random operations for underage alcohol drinking and patronage of drinking places during the long weekend.

Mr Sichimba said the operation will also be extended to bar and night club operators who may be tempted to operate outside the stipulated hours.

“The council is aware that during holidays such as the forthcoming one people, especially young ones, tend to be over excited and begin to indulge themselves in alcohol consumption and other illicit activities. The local authority hopes that youths will celebrate their day within the confines of the law,” he said.