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Govt calls for committed personal efforts to gender equality
Monze, March 11th, 2015, ZANIS —- Government says there was need for every Zambian citizen to take serious personal efforts towards making gender equality a reality.
And Monze women have hailed the appointment of Ms Inonge Wina as Vice President by President Edgar Lungu saying it is a major milestone in achieving gender equality in the country.
In his official speech to hundreds of Monze women and girls today, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Col. Panji Kaunda noted that the theme: “Gender is My Agenda: Make it Happen,” reflected the need for every person to commit themselves to take gender matters seriously starting from homes and institutions.
Col. Kaundu pointed out that the neglect of women’s issues was mainly due to lack of interest, social norms and other traditional traits that hold the view that gender issues are for women only.
“This theme reflect the need for every citizen to take gender matters seriously and it is also an acknowledgement that while existing policies, laws and institutions need strengthening in order to create an environment for gender equality to be achieved, it also remains for all of us to take personal efforts towards making gender equality a reality starting from our homes and institutions,” said col. Kaunda.
Col. Kaunda added; “Until each one of us commit to take action towards attaining gender equality, we will continue with the usual attitude of neglecting the needs of women in political, social and economic spheres”.
He also observed that the family unit was a cornerstone to achieving gender equality and sustainable development among both men and women and as such there was need for government, cooperating partners, faith based organizations and civil society to work with families to strengthen the support systems which shapes people’s lives.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2014, Rwanda has about 64 per cent of parliamentary seats occupied by women.
But Col. Kaunda said for its part, Government has made some major strides in promoting gender equality through appointment of women in key government positions, implementation several programmes including, addressing poverty especially among rural women through various women empowerment programmes like rural empowerment programme to be launched soon, establishment of One Stop centre for survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
And International Women’s Day Organising Committee Chairperson Ms Muleya Mukachongo praised President Lungu for appointing Ms Wina as the first female Vice president in the history of the country.
Ms Mukachongo said this was a clear drive by government to expedite the achievement of gender equality.
Meanwhile, Monze District Commissioner Mr. Biggie Mwiinde thanked the government for not, ‘deviating’ from late President Micheal Sata’s vision to bring development to all parts of the country.
In Monze government is implementing several capital projects including the upgrading of Monze-Niko road to bituminous standard, construction of two palaces, construction of District prisons, women empowerment programme, rehabilitation of dip tank and dams among others.
