President Sata outlines government efforts to put women on a limelight

——President Michael Sata says government has accelerated the promotion of gender equality and participation of women in decision making positions.

The President said this in Chirundu District yesterday in  a speech read for him by Lusaka province Minister Freedom Sikazwe under the theme “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum”.

President Sata said Zambia can boost of being among the top countries in the world to have appointed a woman to head law and order.

He said the appointment of the first female Inspector General of Police is a landmark achievement that will remain in the history of Zambia.

President Sata explained that in the judiciary and other institutions more women have been appointed to oversee decision making at the highest level.

He said it is for this reason that the nation need to celebrate the achievements of women while remaining vigilant.

President Sata said the momentum the nation has gained so far can be lost if Zambians become complacent in action and service delivery.

He said he has noted with happiness that more resources have been allocated to the ministry of gender and child development for projects which are based on the needs of the community.

President Sata said recently there has been an emergence of more women clubs with various projects countrywide under women economic empowerment fund.

Meanwhile President Sata stated that one of the key programmes in the patriotic front manifesto is to implement the decentralisation policy.

President Sata said government is committed to ensuring that service delivery in all sectors of the economy are brought as close to the people as possible.

He therefore said the creation of new districts across the country is designed to fulfil the important programme which he said traditional leaders and subjects have appreciated.

President Sata also said having more districts will reduce the distances that men and women have to cover to access various services.

And Chirundu Women’s Day Organising Committee Chairperson Mercy Chitutwi said this year’s theme entails that women should realise the need to be included in all aspects of national development.

Ms Chitutwi said the people of Chirundu are happy that the current government has taken keen interest in addressing the promotion of human rights and empowerment of small business entrepreneurs among others.

Ms Chitutwi however said despite all the planned or pronounced activities, Chirundu district has not benefited from the national cake.

The district has less health facilities, water supply, food insecurity, and high school drop outs making women’s rights difficult.