Lungu commits to women participation in governance

President Edgar Lungu has reaffirmed his commitment to increase the number of women participating in the governance of the country.

The President said there was need for various stakeholders to come together and fight gender inequalities and imbalances in the Zambian society.

President Lungu was speaking during the global leaders’ meeting on gender equality and women’s empowerment, commitment to action held at the United Nations headquarters in New York yesterday.

He said his government was determined to ensure that women take up their rightful positions in society for them to participate fully in national development.

President Lungu pointed out that the 2030 agenda for sustainable development gives more impetus and confidence for impacting a significantly enhanced imprint on gender equality and women empowerment.

The Head of State said his appointment of many women to various leadership positions including Vice President Inonge Wina, was testimony enough of his resolve to address gender inequality in the country.

President Lungu cited other institutions where women are in-charge as the judiciary, the police, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Auditor General’s office.

The President has meanwhile called for a stop to gender based violence, human trafficking and child marriages saying these practices retard sustainable development in the nation.

He explained that Zambia will continue to fight all forms of abuse against women and the girl child through promoting programmes such as the ‘he-for-she’ and the re-entry policy in schools.

President Lungu further bemoaned the inequality between men and women when it comes to land acquisition and urged stakeholders to act decisively in correcting the anomaly through advocating for good laws.

President Lungu is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).