Women urged not to always depend on men

First Lady Esther Lungu has advised women not to always rely on men for them to develop their livelihoods.

Mrs. Lungu said women should learn to stand on their own and not dependent on men for them to progress their lives.

She was speaking in Lusaka today in a speech read for her by Youth and Sport Minister Ronald Chitotela’s wife Lillian during the launch of the value addition programme which was organised by the Association of Zambian Women in Mining (AZWIM).

Mrs. Lungu further said women have the capabilities to empower themselves and contribute effectively to national development.

And Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe said government has since restructured the empowerment programme and put in place the value chain cluster development programmes to make it beneficial to women.

She said the reorganisation of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) to lay greater emphasis on funding empowerment projects in rural areas as well participation of women, youth and physically challenged was another move by government to extensively empower the women folk.

And AZWIM Chairperson Mary Lubemba said the challenges hindering the association from expanding their businesses include lack of finances and suitable machines for processing stones.

Picture by THOMAS NSAMA