Depleting women numbers in parliament worries UPND

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Edwin Lifwekelo
Edwin Lifwekelo

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has expressed concern at the depleting women representation in Parliament as a result of the continued nullification of opposition parliamentary seats by the courts of law.

The Supreme Court has so far nullified two parliamentary seats held by women namely Petauke Central which was held by Dora Siliya and Kasenengwa which was held by Victoria Kalima.

UPND Deputy Spokesperson, Edwin Lifwekelo, has told QFM News in an interview that the African Union and the SADC protocols are very clear on promoting full participation of women in decision making and this cannot be ignored in Zambia.

Mr. Lifwekelo says the right by women to participate at all levels of decision making structures on a 50/50 basis especially at parliamentary level is slowly dying a natural death under the PF government.

Mr. Lifwekelo notes that if the PF government wants to dialogue with the opposition, they should accept the freedom of others to freely debate national issues without feeling insecure or threatened by those with divergent views.

He adds that President Michael Sata has a responsibility to promote the values that underline an open democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom.

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