Zambia: Women for Change calls on the incoming government to safeguard peace

The Zambia We Want Campaign
launch. (Photo: Women for Change)

Emily Sikazwe, executive director of Women for Change (WfC, one of the focal points of Social Watch in Zambia), congratulated Michael Chilufya Sata on his election as the 5th Republican President of that African country. She also called on “all peace loving Zambians to embrace the change of government with dignity and unity”, according to Q FM radio station.

Sikazwe extended her organization's congratulations to the Patriotic Front, Sata’s coalition, for winning last week’s elections.

Since 1991, she noted, Zambia has embraced a democratic system of government which entails that the people's aspirations are to be determined by the people themselves.

Sikazwe called on the incoming government to inspire Zambian people to remain united and to safeguard the peace the nation has enjoyed since its independence, and congratulated all the female candidates regardless of their political affiliations, who braved the rough political terrain to contest the 2011 elections.

She has further encouraged those who have won to use their new positions to champion the rights of women and girls as well as the marginalized.

Ndanwa Mwitta, journalist of Times of Zambia newspaper, noted that “many challenges still remain”.

The journalist remembered that WfC, together with a number of civil society organizations, embarked on the Zambia We Want Campaign, aimed to get the views and aspirations from the Zambians on the ground.

“The Zambia We Want charter, successfully launched at Lusaka’s Intercontinental Hotel on Sept. 17th, lifts the voices and visions of the Zambian people in anticipation of a new day of accountability, transparency, prosperity and a new social contract with the people,” wrote Mwittah.

“The charter is intended to be a living document rooted in the inspiration and struggles of Zambia’s founding fathers and mothers and is responsive to contemporary issues and opportunities,” he added.

Among the contentious issues on the charters checklist, Zambians singled out: Governance; Human Rights; Health; Labour; Gender, Women and Youth Empowerment; Economic Development; Education; Infrastructure Development; Food Security; Water Sanitation; A Free and Independent Media and Freedom of Expression as the main issues that require urgent government intervention, reported the journalist.

 “The issues highlighted in the charter represent the voices of the many Zambians who have expressed their aspirations for their beloved country.

The charter provides a unique opportunity for all Zambians to unite and work together in resolving these outstanding challenges,” said Sikazwe at the launch.

 “Lack of mutual accountability between the electorates and the elected leaders continues to be the order of the day. This is characterized by the spate of corruption, bribes and inducements, abuse of authority, use of inflammatory language, falsehoods, intimidation and discrimination among others,” agreed Judith Lungu, WfC Board chairwoman.

WfC is a gender focused non-governmental organization working with communities, especially women and children.

More information

WfC strengthens political participation: http://bit.ly/oZpSXa

Women postponed in electoral campaign: http://bit.ly/qntMRk

Citizens observed polls via Twitter, SMS, Internet and telephone: http://bit.ly/nmHa3H

 

This information is based on the following sources

Q FM: http://bit.ly/E6lgu 

Times of Zambia : http://bit.ly/umwOf