Chief Chikanta calls for rural women involvement in celebrating their day

Chief Chikanta calls for  rural women involvement in celebrating their day

CHOMA, 27th Feb, 2014, ZANIS…CHIEF Chikanta of the Tonga Speaking
people in Kalomo District of southern province has called for enhanced
involvement of women in rural areas on the commemoration of
international women’s day.

And  Choma Children’s Development
Organization (CCDO) Executive Director Cornelius Hademu says  his
organization has organized various  activities for women’s day celebrations
in the rural parts of Choma District.

The Chief bemoaned the lack of rural women participation during the
women’s day celebrations citing that most events are held in urban
parts of the districts thereby neglecting the involvement of rural
women.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Choma today, Chief Chikanta
said international women’s day was an important national event which
provided a platform for redress of various issues affecting women
including those in rural areas.

 "There is need for government to facilitate the involvement of women
in rural areas in commemorating women’s day, the event has been
urbanized at the expense of the women in rural areas with the desire
to share in this celebration", he said.

Chief Chikanta however noted that celebrations of this event provided
a platform for sensitization on the various forms of Gender based
violence (GBV) that most women in rural areas experience.

He said issues of GBV have continued to affect women in rural areas
and remain unreported due to lack of sufficient knowledge on the
proper reporting procedures.

"If women’s day celebrations could from time to time be commemorated
in rural areas issues of GBV and child abuse among women and children
could be well addressed at a good forum", he said.

The Chief noted the need for government to facilitate gatherings of
such nature in rural areas through the Ministry of Education at
various Schools located in rural areas that are close to the people.

He said with the coming of the international women’s day on 8th March
2014, there was need for women in rural areas to be incorporated in
the celebrations and critically address the vice of GBV of which women
in rural areas have remained vulnerable .

Chief Chikanta however said commemorations of women’s day celebrations
should go beyond matching but seriously look into the plight of most
women in the country.

And   Choma Children’s Development
Organization (CCDO) Executive Director Cornelius Hademu said his
organization has organized various events for women’s day celebrations
in the rural parts of Choma District.

Speaking in a separate interview, Mr Hademu said his organization is keen to complement government
efforts in women empowerment by providing a platform for women in
rural areas to participate in various national events.