First Lady Christine Kaseba has implored parents in North -Western province to desist from marrying off their girl children at an early age.

Dr Kaseba says marrying off the girl child at an early age hinders girls from progressing further in their education.

She said this on Wednesday evening when she launched the Lumwana Scholarship scheme.

The First Lady advised parents to carefully balance the load of domestic chores that girls are given so that their ability to perform
in school is not impaired.

Dr Kaseba has also saluted the traditional leadership in the province for playing a pivotal role in speaking against early marriages.

She also says concerted efforts are needed to completely curb early marriages.

And the First Lady has thanked Barrick Lumwana Mining Company for rehabilitating school infrastructure in the three Chiefdoms surrounding the mining area.

She also commended the company for providing learning material to schools.

Dr Kaseba says it is pleasing to see the Mining firm provide scholarships to the girl child.

She also says such a move will greatly assist the girl child within the mining area to access higher school education.

The First Lady hoped that the holders of scholarships would progress to universities and colleges in the country.

Lumwana has been providing 100 scholarships per year in a bid to inspire the girl child to progress into high school level.

And Barrick Lumwana Mining Company Operations Managers Bob Collier thanked the First Lady for accepting the invitation to grace this year’s International Women’s Day commemorated on Thursday.

[ZNBC]

Southern Province recorded over one thousand nine hundred cases of Gender based violence last year. Choma District ranked the highest with 780 cases followed by Monze with 506. Livingstone was third with 490 cases.

Southern Province NGOCC Liaison Officer, Faith Simukoko says the cases of gender based violence are a reflection of low economic and social status of women in the country.

Ms Simukoko called for unity of purpose among women to fight the injustices against them.

She was speaking at celebrations to mark international women’s’ day at Livingstone Civic Centre on Thursday morning.

And Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Jean Kapata called on women to unity and fight for the amendment of defilement to a non bailable offense.

Ms Kapata also urged women not to hide the cases of defilement happening in their homes.

She stressed the need for women not to withdraw cases of gender based violence against their spouses.

And Scores of people on Thursday morning turned up at Ndola Civic Center to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

And officiating at the event, Justice Deputy Minister Alfrida Kansembe called for an end to all forms of injustice and discrimination against Women.

And Mrs Kansembe has urged the media to continue playing a strategic role in raising awareness against gender based violence.

She says the media has also a strong influence on motivating the girl child to aspire to greater heights.

ZNBC

Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga this afternoon officially introduced prominent Economist Chibamba Kanyama as new Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation(ZNBC) Director General.

Mr Malupenga said that with the vast experience Mr Kanyama has, he was confident that he will carry on from where out going ZNBC director General Joe Chilaizya has left.

Mr Malupenga said that Mr Chilaizya managed to change the perception of ZNBC for the last five months he has been in office. He further said that a lot of changes have taken place at the national broadcaster especially the News content.

And speaking at the same occasion, Mr Kanyama said that Mr Chilaizya brought pride to staff at ZNBC and the viewers in terms of News contents and that Mr Chilaizya is focused, professional, objective and inspiring to his team to produce the best.

Mr Chilaizya welcomed Mr Kanyama and wished him the best as he takes on the challenges which the Corporation is faced with.

Mr Kanyama’s appointment is with immediate effect. He was until his latest position, Zambian Breweries Corporate Affairs Director.

Information Minister Fackson Shamenda unveiled the appointment of Mr Kanyama as ZNBC Director General at a press briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Shamenda also announced that Mr Kanyama’s predecessor Joe Chilaizya has been deployed to Foreign Service, by President Michael Sata.

He thanked Mr Chilaizya for his valuable service at the helm of ZNBC for the past five months.

Mr Shamenda also said that government is confident that Mr Kanyama will satisfy public expectation in his new capacity as he has vast experience in the media fraternity.

Mr Kanyama worked at ZNBC for a number of years before he joined the corporate world.

ZNBC

By M.Chingala

I should start by saying I am not of the view that man’s supremacy is at stake because of the gender thing. But what if it is? Neither am I saying that men should grab from the women what the latter have taken from them. My argument is basically a thought provoking delve into social streams meant to ignite debate.

Gender activists consistently appear in interviews advocating for this or that woman right. But what happened to demanding equal duties? Why can’t they also advocate for equal jobs (such as underground mining). Why should a man behave like a gentleman in a time when women view such men as sissies?

Which man would like to be seen as a ‘half man? Consequently, every man displays a rough nature. After all the roughest men get the prettiest ladies or am I wrong? Why is it the man who frequents night spots in search of prostitutes so despised by ladies? Why is it a turn off for other women with whom he may not even have intentions of proposing? Personal friends often frown. Is the issue about the concern for the man’s health or what? Isn’t a prostitute better than an unfaithful girlfriend or adulterous wife? I like my friend’s definition of a prostitute. He defines them as people who, for money, do in one night what a wife does in the lifetime of the marriage.

Just like the women’s rights activists or the career-oriented 21st century woman, I like to have fun-except without the worries of a relationship. I care about other people’s feelings so I do not engage in relationships in which I cannot give my all. Well, with the exception of a prostitute. This is because with her, there is mutual understanding to maximize pleasure in one instant and not play offended when either of us is in the company of someone else.

I should say I am quite disappointed with the 21st century woman. She goes out clubbing at night in the company of other men and still demand to be trusted by their partners. Oh, what the hell! Which man would like his lady to do that if he truly loves her?

Women are now enlightened. That is a 21st century woman. Why not be a 21st century man by being the man that you are supposed to be. Don’t think of yourself as a dog. That is just girl talk though it may be true in some areas (such as style of peeing-against something and not in the open!) Think of yourself as a lion, a predator, an animal that enjoys the search. Be outgoing. Meet people. Isn’t that how male genitals are? Outside the body. Seeking to explore, to devour. Besides, our orgasm is also characterized by fluid being ejected.

So what’s my conclusion? Simple. Ladies should not expect me to practice chivalry. They should forget about me ever opening the door for them or helping out with the heavy luggage. Right? Wrong? I will continue to do that but not with the free willingness that they call ‘sissie.’ Some will call me frustrated. That maybe I have had a rough time with ladies. Wrong. I just believe in treating someone the same way they treat me. Just like gender activists, I believe in equal rights, but with equal duties and equal responsibilities. Regards fellas, I’ve got matebeto to attend- My chivalrous friend found a mate.

Republican President Michael Sata has upgraded the gender division into a full cabinet ministry and appoints Inonge Wina as Gender Minister.

Speaking today in Lusaka at the commemoration of the International Women’s days which falls on 8th March every year, President Sata said that Emerine Kabanshi, who was Gender Division deputy Minister, has now been promoted as Cabinet Minister to take over from Ms Wina as Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister.

President Sata said he is encouraged by the unity exhibited by women during the celebrations regardless of their political affiliation. The President Sata has also pledged his government’s commitment to address gender based violence by domesticating international conventions on gender.

Speaking earlier, NGOCC chairperson Beatrice Grillo appealed to government to operationalize the Anti gender law to ensure that the escalating cases of violence against women are alleviated.

Ms. Grillo further called on government to declare gender based violence a national disaster while urging President Michael Sata to set up a commission of inquiry to look into matters of gender based violence.

Ms. Grillo also demanded that article 23 of the Republican constitution be removed from the new constitution as it hinders women progress.

She has also called on the ministry of justice to set up fast track courts to expeditiously deal with cases of gender based violence.

And UNDP Director Kanni Wignaraja called on Zambians to ensure that traditional and cultural practices that affect the progress for women to be discarded.

She urged government to introduce a minimum threshold in political offices that will attract more women participation in leadership positions.

Hundreds of women and men thronged the show grounds this morning to commemorate the international Women’s day characterized by dances, poems and a match past from Munali round about along the great East Road to the show grounds, the venue of the celebrations among other activities.

This year’s international Women’s day theme is “Connecting girls, inspiring futures, mentorship for success.”

The gathering observed a minute of silence in respect of women who have died as a result of Gender Based Violence.

QFM

Poetry is an art form that needs to be developed and brought to the spotlight .  To start off this series we have two poems

Dear husband by Androphene Mulali

” Dear husband

You were my Mr. Right

In my eyes you could do no wrong

I was so young and head over heels, blinded by my love

I couldn’t see that all it was, was the fast tracking wheels

To a place men feverishly call hell

Well…I call home

All I wanted was for us to marry

I couldn’t wait to be your wife

Cook clean, look after you and your children to carry

How naïve and juvenile my love for you was

I did not realise the veracity if the matter

Which is that the gravity if this natural disaster you call a marriage

Quickly lost its sanctity

I did not grasp the true essence of your stupidity

Before I came to realise my own stupidity, after saying I do to a man who obviously didn’t

A man who won’t, or is it that you can???…STOP HITTING ME!??

The signs were there, but ignorance is bliss, so I ignored them

Instead I blamed myself and made excuses for you,coz you said “baby am sorry,il never do it again it’s a one time folly”

I couldn’t bear the thought of walking away from what we had spent years building

Wait or is it what I spent years building??

Cause now that everything is clearer, I know for a fact you didn’t put in jack

You are such a jack… STOP HITTING ME!!

They say appetite comes with eating, but your appetite for my tears, my disgrace, and my pain is insatiable

And now my face is not sociable, because it looks like it was run over by a train, what do you gain??

My mother once told me that it was a good horse that never stumbled and like a good wife I never grumbled

But you doubled your punches

Was loving me like a real man loves his wife so difficult??

For the only love between us was that between your fist and my face

Your foot in my stomach, my womb became a tomb in which my child was destined never to leave alive

STOP HITTING ME!!

Is it my fate to die at the hands of a rake?

A Scorned bitter woman, full of hate

Am gathering my last shred of self respect

My love beaten, dying and am leaving you

So watch me walk away, my head held high

My hips swaying to the sound of my heels, no jezebel

But am sure as the sun that you are going to hell

I guess this is my valediction to end this addiction

So cry me a river or until your eyes pop out, I won’t stay

So please stop hitting yourself, coz now you realise that your folly was not a folly in itself until you lost the only woman you ever truly loved

Wife… “

DARE TO BELIEVE By Mwape Mumba

” Remove the veil of deception from your eyes
as they come to you differently disguised

As they secretly and differently have improvised

their malicious deceptions that cover your eyes.

Get up and rise

its your choice to be knowledgeable and to be wise

With belief their is no surprise

So learn…

So that u devise a master plan that will better our lives

I echo the words

“get up stand up,stand up for your right,yes get up stand up and don’t give up he fight”

Once u are given this chance and once is the plight

To stand up and be strong in the fight for what is right,

As obvious as comes day so there comes night.

So don’t stop…

u understand me right?

Its a process to be monitored in total closeness that if u are not in line with your choices you end up giving in to total foolishness

So ask for grace

The veil of deception something that is there from the inception of life… taking you into a certain direction… Filled with joy and strife But its up to u, u hold it in your hands

So  make that decision…

Remove the veil and see the truth

So get up stand up, Stand up for what is right yea get up stand up and don’t give up the fight…

don’t give up the fight…”

By Kapa187

Government yesterday took to Parliament the Anti-Corruption Bill which is aimed at effecting amendments to the Abuse of Office clause.

Justice Minister, Sebastian Zulu, presented the Bill to Parliament for amendment.

The MMD government repealed the Anti-Corruption Act and removed the Abuse of Office clause, saying it was discriminatory against leaders and Government officials who engaged in personal businesses.

Mr Zulu is expected to present the Bill for second reading on March 23, this year.

The minister explained that the Bill would continue to provide for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to have powers and functions for the prevention, detection, investigation and punishment of corrupt practices and related offences based on the rule of law.

Mr Zulu said the Bill would provide for the protection of witnesses, experts, victims and persons assisting the commission.

It would also provide for nullification of corrupt transactions, and payment of compensation for damages arising from corrupt activities.

The Bill repeals and replaces the Anti-Corruption Act 2010 and provides for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

[Times of Zambia]

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has challenged party members allegedly planning to challenge party president Hakainde Hichilema to come out in the open instead of causing instability in the party.

UPND secretary general Winston Chibwe said that anyone who has plans of challenging Mr. Hichilema should wait for the party convention.

Mr. Chibwe said that it was cowardice behavior to rush to the media to spread unwarranted information about the party president when the right channel of dialogue can be followed.

Speaking in an interview with QFM, Mr. Chibwe said that the UPND is a democratic party and any person with intentions to stand on any party position should patiently wait for the party to hold its convention where new leaders will be put in office.

QFM

A campaign to bring accused war criminal Joseph Kony, the fugitive head of Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army rebels, to justice has gone viral on the Internet.

The hashtag ‘#stopkony’ was among top trending topics on Twitter on Wednesday.

The campaign was launched by the non-profit group Invisible Children with an emotional 30-minute video which has been viewed more than 7.3 million times on YouTube and attracted more than 150,000 comments.

‘Invisible Children’ and ‘Uganda’ were also among the top trending topics on Twitter on Wednesday. A number of celebrities joined the campaign by tweeting links to the video and promoting the campaign.

“JOSEPH KONY, leader of the Lords Resistance Army is located in Uganda, and abducts children to murder their parents. He takes girls and forces them to be sex slaves. He has abducted over 30,000 children and forces them to be soldiers. FEW know his name and even FEWER know his crimes. Make him FAMOUS. 99% of the world are not aware and without spreading awareness we will NOT be able to catch the rightful attention ”

Find out more in this video

Parliament yesterday unanimously approved the abolition and creation of Government ministries and departments recently established by President Michael Sata.

Vice- President, Guy Scott said the President had constitutional powers to realign Government ministries and departments to make them more effective.

Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training now becomes Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education.

The other ministry created are the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. It was previously called Lands, Energy, and Water Development.

Ministry of Mines and Natural Resources is now called the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development.

The Ministry of Local Government, Housing, Early Education and Environmental Protection has been changed to Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

Supporting the motion, leader of the opposition, Felix Mutati (MMD) said the decision by President Sata to abolish and establish the Government ministries and departments would foster efficiency in the civil service.

Mr Mutati, who is Lunte MP, said the opposition resolved to support the decision as it would streamline operations of the Government ministries and departments
[Times of Zambia]