WFC toasts Siliya’s victory

Lumba Siyanga

Women for Change (WFC) is delighted that the number of women Members of Parliament (MPs) has increased following the recent held by-elections in Mulobezi, Malambo and Petauke Central.

Executive Director Ms Lumba Siyanga has since congratulated Dora Siliya and Patricia Mulasinkwanda for winning the Petauke Central and Mulobezi seats respectively.

And Ms. Siyanga has observed that victory of Ms. Siliya and Ms. Mulasinkwanda goes to show that female candidates make good contenders when provided an opportunity and support.

She has told Qfm News in a statement her organization is therefore calling upon all political parties to adopt more women to contest for different elective positions as especially at the level of Parliament and local government in the 2016 elections and beyond.

Ms. Siyanga however expressed concerned that women representation in the Zambian Parliament still stands at 13.2% while that of men is at 86.8% which is far below the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development requirement.

She states that the her organization believes that representation of women in decision making positions is cardinal especially at policy level because it creates an opportunity for society and the country to make decisions that encompass the needs of both genders.

Ms. Siyanga says the WfC further calls on the government to enact the final Draft Constitution before the 2016 elections as it provides a level playing field for disadvantaged groups especially women in politics and leadership.