President Lungu praises Chiefs

President Edgar Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has reassured Zambians that government will continue to respect, recognize and appreciate the role that traditional leaders play in the country.

President Lungu says this is evidenced by government’s creation of the ministry of chiefs and traditional affairs to enhance the collaboration between government and the traditional leaders.

Speaking during the launch of ”HE for SHE” Campaign in Petauke District today, President Lungu says he recognizes that the continued partnership between Chiefs and government has resulted in the successful implementation of numerous projects.

He says he is aware that, even though the campaign will involve several stakeholders, it is imperative to note that traditional leaders are a cornerstone in modeling the traditions and culture and reaching out to the majority of the people in the chiefdoms.

He adds that the role that their royal highnesses play in fostering development, peace, unity and stability is highly commendable.

President Lungu states that the campaign launched today is unique, simple, innovative and effective as it is aimed at bringing to the fore the importance of gender equality, as a means of achieving sustainable development.

The Head of State furthermore states that the campaign is also directed at transforming individuals and institutional values and beliefs for advancing gender equality, especially among the men.

President Lungu says the indaba brings together representatives of traditional leaders from all parts of the country in a setting which facilitates cultural and traditional exchanges saying this is a fundamental step towards promoting “One Zambia, One nation”.

He has since directed the ministry of health, ministry of community development, mother and child health, ministry of gender and child development, ministry of education and the ministry of chiefs and traditional affairs and in particular the house of chiefs, to collaborate and devise sustainable ways of harmonizing the objectives of this campaign with that of preserving good practices of the heritage, customs and traditions.