Top Ten Reasons to why its great to be a Woman in Zambia
Our wise and noble President Lungu has declared 8th March a national public holiday for International Women’s Day. Thank you Mr President!!
So from one proud Zambian woman, here are ten reasons why the future is bright for women in Zambia.
Of course we all know things are far from perfect for women, but we have made so much progress. In public life, our women bring a different perspective to public life. In short, women get things done!
So I believe it is great time to be a woman in Zambia! And it’s only going to get better:
1. First and foremost: Our Government has been fighting hard to promote the education of girls.
One of the first things President Lungu did when he came into office was to instruct the Education Ministry and our nation’s teachers to encourage girls to aim high. President Lungu is the first leader in our people’s history to actively promote education amongst girls and fight against the scourge of Gender Based Violence (GBV). More than that, everyone knows about the President’s campaign pledge to reduce early and forced marriages and give confidence to girls to proceed onto university.
Now it’s time for Zambian parents to do their duty and make sure you send your girls (and boys) to university.
2. In Business: President Lungu has said many times that business must leverage the talent of women. In his own words “Business must ensure woman are directly involved in companies, because industry will quickly see this investment pay off.”
Our Female Role Models
More than at any time in Zambia’s history, we have some outstanding female role models in senior positions. So many of our leading public servants are now women.
3. Zambia’s Vice President Inonge Mutukwa Wina, has carried out her duties with distinction. Again she was one of President Lungu’s first appointments. There are more women in the cabinet than ever before.
4. The First Deputy Speaker of our Parliament, Ms Catherine Namugala
5. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Fulata Lillian Siyuni.
6. The Chief Justice of Zambia, Irene Mambilima,
7. Zambia’s youngest female pilot Besa Mumba. I just love that the 20-year-old high-flying role model said recently,
“There is no shortcut to success. The only way to make your dreams a reality is to stay focused on the goals you have set. Always keep them as a priority and always believe in yourself no matter what people have to say. You are the only one who defines your limitations.”
8. The first female leader of the Zambian Bar Association, Linda Kasonde.
The Council of the Law Association of Zambia has sixteen members, six are women. They also happen to be some of the most active members of the Association.
9. The Executive Director of the Zambia National Education Coalition (Zanec), Grace Sinkamba.
10. And of course our very own First Lady Esther Lungu. Like the biblical Queen Esther, our first lady has devoted her life to the well being of the young in our nation. Mother of six, she is Chair and mentor of Esther Lungu Foundation dedicated to empowering women and children of Zambia.
So Women’s success and equality in Zambia has been hard fought for. Of course, women don’t need the patronage of anyone, but President Lungu has proved time and time again his commitment to the women of Zambia.
As a proud woman, I look forward to the day HH lets his wife out of the kitchen, if only to eat at the same table.
Happy International Women’s Day Zambia!
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