Men considered superior to women
MEN are still considered to be superior to women in Zambia, Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Chairperson Mary Mulenga.
Ms Mulenga said her organisation was concerned with what she termed the “deep-rooted” patriarchy system in the country.
She said the systematic discrimination against female gender in the Zambian society was making it difficult for women to both participate and benefit from various development processes.
She said this during the Gender Mainstreaming originates from not only traditional cultural and social norms but also from the dual structure of statutory law and customary law. Rights, which are supposed to be protected under statutory law, are not necessarily observed and women endure unfair treatment in terms of child marriage, unequal distribution of property,” Ms Mulenga said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja said his command was determined to fight Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and discrimination in all its form. Mr Kanganja disclosed that police officers have been trained in gender issues.
“My command is determined to fight Gender-Based Violence and discrimination in all its form. There has indeed been a significant wake- up call about the need to respect women and girls’ rights,” Mr Kanganja said.
He also noted that the Police Service had achieved gender parity at peace-making, deployment and recruitment levels.
“In the last pass out parade at the school of public order maintenance (SPOM) in Kamfinsa, we had 401 women graduate whilst the menfolk were 292. This shows that there has been an increased participation of women in decision-making at strategic levels and created more gender- friendly infrastructure,” he said.