VJ calls for gender parity in elective offices

Paul Shalala

ZNBC News

Veteran politician VERNON MWAANGA has called for affirmative action if Zambia is to reach the 50-50 gender parity in elective offices.

Mr. MWAANGA, who served as a diplomat, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Chief Whip, says political parties are behind in the adoption of women for Parliament and local councils.

In a statement issued to ZNBC News ahead of International Women’s Day which falls on 8 March, Mr. MWAANGA said the imbalance between men and women in elective offices needs to be addressed.

He has suggested that some seats must be reserved for women to compete amongst each other using the proportional representation system in addition to those elected from Parliamentary Constituencies.

Mr. MWAANGA said doing so will see the number of women in elective offices rising steadily.

He said Zambia needs to learn from Rwanda which has successfully implemented the proportional representation system and has the highest number of elected women in the world.

He has thanked President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA for appointing women to head various parastatal bodies and embassies abroad.

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