Govt urged to fund the referendum on the bill of rights – NGOCC

The Non-governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has urged the new dawn government to take advantage of the offer by the cooperating partners to fund the referendum on the expanded bill of rights. 

NGOCC board chairperson Mary Mulenga says Zambia can only address the issue of human rights through an enhanced bill of rights.

Ms. Mulenga says the new dawn government should take advantage of the goodwill from the international cooperating partners to fund the process of holding a referendum on the bill of rights.    

And ms Mulenga says the NGOCC remains disappointed with the low number of women appointed to decision making positions by president Hakainde Hichilema so far.

Ms. Mulenga has called on government to expedite the process of repealing the NGO act of 2016 to bring about a self regulatory mechanism for NGOS and enhance civil society operating space.

meanwhile NGOCC executive director Engwase Mwale has welcomed the appointment of the permanent secretary for the gender division.

Ms. Mwale has since called on the gender division to ensure there is effective gender mainstreaming within the public sector.