Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has observed that Zambia can only achieve equitable and sustainable growth if 100 percent of its population participates in building its future.
Mr. Hichilema says this means that Zambia must plan carefully for the Sustainable Development Goals agreed at the UN summit last month.
Hakainde Hichilema
He notes that it is also critical that the country considers the importance of social, economic and political investment when empowering young girls.
Mr. Hichilema thinks that Zambia is not doing enough in this area as evidenced by the current literacy rate for young girls which is currently 12 percent lower than young boys.
Mr. Hichilema notes that this is besides the country having one of the highest child-marriage rates globally with 42 percent of girls getting married by the age of 18 years.
He also notes that Zambia still has an incredibly high maternal mortality rate with 398 deaths per 100,000 births compared to Botswana which has about 140 deaths per 100,000 births.
The UPND president is of the view that the PF government has yet to create a welcoming environment for women or set a standard for how women should be treated in the workplace.
He has advised that government should create a society where women and young girls are encouraged and motivated to join politics, business and education.
Mr. Hichilema states that his party the UPND believes that education is the key for ensuring opportunities for women the more reason it will continue to raise awareness on issues surrounding the girl child.
He said in his International Day of The Girl Child statement made available to Qfm News today.