‘Zambia making progress in achieving gender equality’

ZAMBIA’S political will in mainstreaming gender equality and the empowerment of women has resulted into an increase in the number of women participating effectively in public life and decision making positions, Minister of Gender Elizabeth Phiri has informed the United Nations (UN).

Ms Phiri said Zambia’s quest in the promotion of gender equality in public life has led to the nomination and election of a woman to the position of Vice-President.

According to a statement issued by first secretary for press at the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations Wallen Simwaka, the Minister said this when she addressed the UN through a video recorded message at the ongoing Sixty-Fifth Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 65) in New York.

The theme for the CSW 65 is: “Women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

Ms Phiri said in promoting gender equality, Zambia had seen the appointment of women as Judges of the High Court, Supreme Court as well as the Constitutional Court apart from the country having a woman deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

She told UN member states that Zambia had made progress in gender equality by way of implementing programmes such as Girls’ Education, Women Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL), ending gender-based violence and Early Child and Forced Marriages.