PRESS STATEMENT Friday 12th June, 2020 GENDER EOUALITY AND WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP KEY TO DEVELOPMENT By MARY S. MULENGA BOARD CHAIRPERSON North-Western Province Luapula Province Coordinating Office Mansa District

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PRESS STATEMENT
Friday 12th June, 2020
GENDER EOUALITY AND WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP KEY TO DEVELOPMENT

By MARY S. MULENGA
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
North-Western Province Luapula Province
Coordinating Office Mansa District

NON-GOVERNMENTAL GENDER ORGANISATIONS’ COORDINATING COUNCIL
P.O.Box 37879 Fax:
NGOCC Lusaka, Zambia E-mail: info@ngocc.org.zm Website: www.ngocc.org.zm
Building Solidarity For Women’s Empowerment
Plot No. 5168 Tel: +260 211 224727/227529
Nchoncho Road Cell: +260 966 640760
+260 211 227 514

THE Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) commends the
Government on the recent appointment of more women to the Board for the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR).

Not so long ago we also witnessed the appointment of four women out of a nine-member Board at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

We are also aware that a number of such efforts are being registered in pursuit of promoting more women to take up leadership spaces in various other public institutions.
We take this opportunity to extend our congratulations to the women so appointed and wish to encourage them to put in their best and aspire to bring about the desired transformation in the public service.

The future of the world, by and large, remains in the hands of women and the youths. We are confident that the women so appointed have the requisite credentials to provide the necessary leadership that will not only benefit their organisations but contribute to national development.

It has been NGOCC’s and indeed the larger women’s movement’s long-standing call that all organizations and institutions should prioritize gender mainstreaming and the equal participation of women at all levels.

It is an established fact that both women and men have equal rights and play a key role in shaping decisions and development outcomes in Zambia.

Therefore, NGOCC would like to take this opportunity to encourage all other development and governance actors to embrace this progressive move and provide the needed support and cooperation to the appointed women leaders.

NGOCC is however disappointed with Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Brian Mushimba’s statement during the unveiling of the NISIR Board that the consideration of the women was not because of “it was a gender issue”.

To the contrary, gender considerations should be part of our national conviction that women need to be recognized on the basis of their full rights, capabilities and entitlements to participate in national development processes.

It therefore remains on the part of our leaders and all Zambians to continue supporting the cause for gender equity and equality in all spheres of life in Zambia, both in statements and practice.

There is need for consistent focus on ensuring that the purpose for gender in development and governanceün Zambia is appreciated and understood.

It is for this reason that NGOCC’s call for the operationalization of the Gender Equity and Equality Commission (GEEC) should be a matter of priority.
SIGNED:

MARY S. MULENGA
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
North-Western Province Luapula Province
Coordinating Office Mansa District