National gender policy launched

Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina says government has made some significant strides with regards to general awareness on gender issues.

Speaking during the launch of the revised national gender policy and strategic plan for 2014 to 2016 in Lusaka today, Ms Wina notes that the strides made have resulted in among others things the enactment of the anti gender based violence Act no. 1 of 2011, matrimonial causes Act no 20 of 2007, the creation of the ministry of gender and child development and several affirmative action policies especially in the education sector.

Ms Wina explains that despite these achievements, challenges still remain including limited understanding of gender mainstreaming, inadequate monitoring and evaluation framework in the national gender policy of 2000 and limited coordination between ministries, their statutory bodies and other government agencies.

Ms Wina also notes that poverty among women continues to be a hindrance to their participation in decision making.

She adds that women are also more affected by HIV and AIDS hence they continue to be victims of Gender Based Violence, while they remain the poorest of the of the poor with limited formal and informal power.

Ms Wina has since appealed to all stakeholders to study the national gender policy and identify ways in which they implement it collectively.