PF, UPND applauded for adopting female candidates

A CIVIL society group has applauded the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) for adopting female candidates for the Chilanga parliamentary byelection slated for June 5, this year.

YOUTH Aid Chairperson, Chungu Kachenga said it was encouraging that the two biggest political parties in the country had shown significant commitment to promoting women participation in the governance and politics of the country as evidenced by the adoption of women candidates in Chilanga constituency.

In a statement released to the Daily Nation, he said the move by the two political parties was very important in promoting gender equality and fairness.

UPND has adopted Charmaine Musonda for the Chilanga seat while the PF has Maria Langa as the candidate.

“Both women and men should be given fair opportunities to actively participate in politics in the country in order to promote gender equality.

“Women in Zambia are not adequately supported in issues of politics and governance, hence we believe that in changing things in the political arena, steps like this should be commended because we have women who are very capable of creating good leaders in the country,” he said.

Mr Kachenga called for violence-free in Chilanga constituency of Lusaka Province.

He said Youth Aid would be on ground to ensure that the electoral code was adhered to as well as offer assistance to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in ensuring that there was no foul play.

He appealed to other political parties to emulate the move by the two parties as it was a wise and important one that not only promoted gender equality and fairness but was also a great step towards promoting the social and political growth of the nation.

Mr Kachenga also urged the youths to engage in active and productive politics as a means to empower themselves on issues of national governance.