Vice President Inonge Wina has bemoaned the continued low levels of female participation in politics
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Vice President Inonge Wina has bemoaned the continued low levels of female participation in politics.
Mrs. Wina says while many women are willing to join politics, more are fearful of the toxic environment where violence is prohibiting them from participating in politics and decision-making positions.
The Vice President said this when she delivered a speech during a virtual high-level dialogue on increasing women’s participation in electoral processes and addressing violence against women in elections under the theme ‘Yes Zambian women can’.
Mrs. Wina said Government remains committed to ensuring that the country attains gender equity not only in key sectors but also in the political space.
Mrs. Wina said Government believes that gender equality is a precursor to sustainable development and strongly encourages more women to join politics.
And in giving her keynote speech, former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said all girls and women have a right to a life of fulfilled aspirations and one that is free of violence.
Ms. Sirleaf said due to the Covid-19 pandemic, progress made in the lives of girls and women has been a draw back and continued violence against women particularly in homes and conflict situations has increased.
Meanwhile, United Nations Resident Coordinator Coumba Mar Gadio has commended the Zambian Government for the progress made in addressing gender inequalities including putting in place policy and legal framework.
Dr. Gadio noted that with women making up 51 percent of Zambia’s population and 53 percent of registered voters, women have a right to fully participate in the political development process.
