— Traditional leaders urged to incorporate women in development

Traditional leaders urged to incorporate women in development

Lusaka, August 16, 2014, ZANIS —- Senior Chief Nalubamba of Namwala district has urged the traditional leadership in the country to incorporate women in developmental projects in their chiefdoms.

Chief Nalubamba says women should not be segregated but actively involved in all the developmental projects and programmes being undertaken by respective chiefdoms.

He said women should be treated equally with men including them having equal access and control over land as this increases household income and promotes sustainable development.

ZANIS reports that traditional ruler said this when his colleagues from Malawi, Zimbabwe and others parts of the country visited his palace.

This was after a Southern Africa Traditional Leaders Conference on land rights for women in Lusaka.

"Let us treat these women well, they are of value to us because they are partners in development and not for battering, here in Mbeza women are important as we all come up with plans of how to develop our area, “he said.

He further said as a chiefdom they have come up with a strategic development plan that will guide the developmental agenda in the area.

Chief Nalubamba said they have come up with developmental activities at chiefdom level that will supplement government’s efforts of bringing development in the area.

And senior Headwoman from Shabenge village in Mbeza chiefdom, Vennah Shabenge said as women in Mbeza their voice is being heard as they are being regarded as pillars of development.

She said women are not discriminated in anyway but work hard together with their male folk to achieve development in the area.