Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has described as sad and unfortunate the decision by the opposition Patriotic Front to shun any government organized women and youth Days celebrations.
Patriotic Front Acting Secretary general Nickson Chilangwa has said that the central committee has resolved that the party will not take part in Marching or any government planned activities on women and youth days as they feel the UPND government has marginalized women and youths in governance and decision making processes as well as subjected them to poverty and unemployment.
But Ministry of Information and Media director and spokesperson Thabo Kawana tells Q-news that it is unfortunate for any political party or stakeholder that is supposed to be part to national events to decide to instruct its members to boycott.
Mr. Kawana states that if PF leaders are still hurt by the outcome of the 2021 general election, they should not force their members to boycott national activities, but allow those who want to take part to do so freely.
And Mr. Kawana has since announced that Republican President Hakainde Hichilema will grace the women’s day commemoration in Lusaka.
Meanwhile GEARS Initiative Zambia Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says the PF has shot itself in the foot with its decision to boycott the youth and women days celebrations.
Mr. Chipenzi says it would have been wise for the PF to attend the commemorations and shame the critics who might have anticipated the party’s boycott of the two events out of bitterness or as revenge to the ruling UPND who used to boycott similar events while in opposition.