Kapwepwe’s appointment calms NGOCC

Chileshe Kapwepwe

The Non-governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has congratulated Chileshe Kapwepwe on her appointment and subsequent ratification as the new Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) during the Heads of State Summit in Lusaka.

NGOCC Executive Director, Engwase Mwale says as the focal point of the women’s movement, her organization is elated that Ms. Kapwepwe becomes the first ever Zambian and female Secretary General of the regional body.

Ms Mwale says the women folk have no doubt that Ms. Kapwepwe has the requisite skills and experience to propel the regional body to greater heights.

She says NGOCC commends the COMESA Heads of State for breaking the long standing gender imbalance to appoint a woman to head the regional body.

She adds that this decision is an affirmation to the various regional and international protocols on promoting gender equity and equality at all levels of development.

Ms Mwale has also urged the Heads of State in COMESA to replicate this gesture in the member countries by domesticating the various gender protocols to accelerate the attainment of the 50-50 gender parity.