Lungu gives new minister ‘what to do list’

THERE should be zero tolerance policy on rising cases of child marriages, says President Edgar Lungu.

President Lungu was speaking at State House in Lusaka yesterday when he swore in Kanyama Member of Parliament, Elizabeth Phiri as Gender Minister.

President Lungu challenged Ms Phiri to buy into his vision of bringing to zero marriages of innocent under aged girls not only in Zambia but on the African continent. Mr Lungu also challenged Ms Phiri to help Government in addressing the numerous gender issues affecting men, women, boys and girls.

"As you take up this position as Minister of Gender, you are expected to help Government to seriously address the numerous gender issues affecting men and women, boys and girls, including early marriages and genderbased violence among others," President Lungu said. Mr Lungu explained that it was Ms Phiri's patience and passion to serve the Zambian people at any leadership level that earned her an appointment. "Further, your commitment to the party and welfare of the Zambian people earned you an appointment to the diplomatic service as deputy High Commissioner of Zambia to Tanzania. "During your diplomatic tour of duty, you represented our country with the diligence and integrity of a true leader," President Lungu stated. And speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, Ms Phiri promised that she would work to the expectation of the President and Zambians. Ms Phiri said that she will ride on all the good programmes started with her predecessor late Victoria Kalima. Others sworn were Ireen Mwezi Kunda and Stephen Mbayani Lungu as State Counsels respectively.