I TAKE GENDER EQUALITY ISSUES SERIOUSLY- PRESIDENT LUNGU

By Fridah Nkonde-Mubanga

President Edgar Lungu says he takes gender equality issues seriously.
Speaking when the Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) called on him at State House yesterday, President Lungu said there was need for Zambia to break the perception of restricting certain chores and professions to a particular gender.
“I take gender equality issues seriously such that during Cabinet when scrutinising appointments, I am usually the first one to reject proposed names, if the list does not carry the requisite requirements of gender balance,” President Lungu said.
He pledged the Government’s support in the crusade of ensuring that women were partners in development.
And NGOCC Chairperson Mary Mulenga said the organisation was concerned that despite the enactment of the Gender Equity and Equality Act, the law remained unimplemented because of the non-establishment of the Gender Equity and Equality Commission.
Ms. Mulenga said NGOCC was also concerned about the low levels of women in political decision-making positions, political and electoral violence, corruption and the country’s indebtedness, among other issues.