Africanews
Zambian women aspiring for political office may soon realise their dreams of participating in the decision-making process of the nation following a pledge by an American centre to fund their election campaigns. |
US based International Womens Democracy Centre (IWDS) has pledged to support Zambian women aspiring for political office in this years presidential and parliamentary.
According to women Lobby Group chairperson, Ms Gladys Mutukwa the list of women needing support from the IWDC has risen to three hundred.
But MS Mutukwa was quick to point out that language was a hindrance to most women wishing to contest the elections because they cannot articulate themselves in the official language, English. "Women have made up their minds on what they want to do", she said.
At the IWDC branch on the Copperbelt, the centre spokeswoman says it would work closely with the Kitwe Consumers Association (KCA) Women empowerment unit which has identified gender responses to economic, political and social emancipation in Zambia.
According to a letter obtained by the Times Newspaper, IWDC President Barbara Ferris has welcomed the need to work in partnership with KCA women empowerment unit to facilitate a series of workshops focusing on campaign management and running for election office.
She said a regional workshop on women and politics was planned for Lusaka which will be organised in conjunction with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to be followed by a similar one in Kitwe on the Copperbelt later this year.
Welcoming the IWDC gesture, KC chairman Mr. Laban Chakulunta said his organisation had identified gender planning, implementation and advocacy towards positive transformation of democratic structures in Zambia. He said the Kitwe Consumers Associaiton's mission was to work towards a democratic and gender responsive social order.
"We welcome partners willing to facilitate a workshop on campaign management or running for elective office in our community", he said.
Mr. Chakulunta said the move was a rare opportunity coming at a time when Zambia was preparing for local government, parliamentary and presidential elections this year.
In a related development, the women's lobby group in Zambia has issued a declaration of peace on the African continent which strongly condemns all kids of violence and threats to peace.
Ms Gladys Mutukwa who is chairperson of the group said in an interview "women in Zambia and other African countries condemned the perpetration of violence as women are the most vulnerable when wars broke out in their countries". Ms Mutukwa said the lobby group would soon send a declaration which also calls for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations led by the Organisation of African Unity, (OAU).
"The declaration seeks the recognition of women in peace negotiations processes throughout Africa", she said.
Ms Mutukwa also condemned the recent bombing of the State House security wall by the Black Mamba Group saying there are better methods of resolving grievances.
She said as a non-partisan group, the women's group discourages any threats to peace be it from the ruling party or opposition. And Ms Mutukwa said the lobby group is working flat-out to ensure that more women participate in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections as part of the implementation of the Beijing platform of action.
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