PRETORIA – 15th June, 2015 Zambia was presented with an award by the African Union in recognition of the affirmative action the country has unswervingly taken in ensuring women advancement. The award was made on 15th June, 2015 at the 25th AU Heads of State Summit held in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The award came after Zambia’s President His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu made a presentation on behalf of the SADC region during a high-level panel discussion on women empowerment. The President told the delegates that Zambia and the SADC region have made realistic and significant strides in empowering women in different spheres of development.
Mr Lungu said most SADC countries had adopted a 50-50 representation in Parliament and that Zambia took it a step further by appointing the first-ever female Vice-President. He said the country had also appointed women to various senior constitutional offices. The Zambian Government has also put in place measures targeted at empowering women through the provision of extension services in agriculture, as well as addressing the imbalance of land ownership.
Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
PRESS SECRETARY
HIGH COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mobile: 00 27 810027548 Email:press@zambiapretoria.net; nshabolyo@gmail.com