ZAW calls for equity as IWD is commemorated tomorrow
By Staff Reporter
The Zambia Alliance of Women (ZAW) has asked government and other stakeholders to address challenges that hinder women from fully participating in economic development.
ZAW Programmes Manager Ceaser Katebe said government should provide an enabling environment for women to massively contribute and participate in economic activities of the country.
And Sikongo District Commissioner Bright Tombi has called on the women folk in Sikongo to celebrate women’s day with dignity.
Tombi told NewsDayZambia.com in a phone interview that the women in Sikongo this week embarked on various activities to commemorate the day.
“Women are at the centre of development and need to be supported for them to also take part in governance issues,” he said. “We are also targeting vulnerable women so that they don’t feel left out”.
And Katebe stated that access to credit still remained one of the greatest challenges faced by women in participating in economic activities.
“We must appreciate and encourage our women to continue helping in growing the country’s economy. But you see, this can be done if we address the challenges that women continue to face in the country such as access to credit,” Katebe said.
He also observed that women have now taken up careers that were dominated by men such as pilot, engineers and other strategic careers, which was a positive undertaking.
Meanwhile, Limulunga District commissioner Litambo Ndombo said this year’s event would be special in that women shall show case their life skills, which should be promoted.
“Limulunga women are set for tomorrow and ready to showcase their talents,” he said. “It’s time that women step up and come up with skills that can sustain their livelihoods”.
This year’s international women’s day will be commemorated under the theme: ‘Think Equal, Build Smart, and Innovate for change’.
