Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Non-Governmental Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC) says there is urgent need for government to develop mechanisms that will ensure the full functioning of policies and laws that promote women’s access, ownership and security of land.
NGOCC Chairperson Sara Longwe says government should also put in place clear monitoring mechanisms to ensure existing Laws are effected.
Speaking during a Consultative Meeting on women Land Rights in Lusaka today organised by the Zambia Land Alliance , Ms. Longwe says it is sad to note that Zambia still has a challenge to localize the SADC protocol as well as developing mechanisms that will ensure policies and laws on land are operationalised.
She has reaffirmed that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated and that women’s equal ownership, access to and control over land and the equal rights to own property and to adequate housing contribute to the full realization of human rights.
Ms. Longwe has encouraged Government to support the transformation of customs and traditions that discriminate against women and deny them security of tenure and equal ownership, access and control over land.
And Zambia Land Alliance Chairperson Eugene Kabilika has observed that lack of access and ownership of land by women perpetuates the already high poverty levels among women in the country.
Mr. Kabilika says women grow most of the food but rarely have secure rights to land in their own names.
He says the quality of women’s lives can be improved by according them more decision-making power over land