STATEMENT BY DR VERNON J MWAANGA GOEZ ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

8th March, is an important day. It was designated to honour women all over the world, who are still suffering from under-representation, almost in every sphere of our lives. During the struggle for independence, women fought alongside men and endured the same level of humiliation from colonialists as men.

There is a general agreement on the African continent and in the world generally, that there can be no meaningful development with the participation of women. I would like to commend President Hakainde Hichilema, for appointing more women to positions Permanent Secretary, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and to other senior positions in government and parastatal organisations, than any other President. I hope that the Private Sector can emulate the President’s gender progressive example. The other state institutions such as the National Assembly, the Local Councils, which are elective, have far less women representation, because selection of candidates is rightly left to political parties. Political Parties have been disappointing, because in some cases women candidates are adopted in Constituencies where they cannot win. Husbands, boyfriends and other lovers, have also, put pressure on their wives and girlfriends to withdraw their candidatures. The net result is that we only have 26 women members of Parliament out 156 elected members and 8 nominated members. It works out at 16% and out of over 1700 Local Councillors , there are around 137 Women Councillors. This notwithstanding the fact that out of a total 7 million plus registered voters, 53.3% are women and 46.7% are men. This is a national disgrace, which requires immediate attention by all political parties.

It has been a long journey for women after 60 years. Let us create special seats for women as part of our affirmative action, in the National Assembly and LocalCouncils, where they will compete against each other, in addition to those who come through Parliamentary Constituencies and Local Council Wards. Not to do something is not an option.

Lusaka