By JOHN SAKALA
Gender Minister Elizabeth Phiri has condemned yesterday’s behaviour of University of Zambia (Unza) students who showered insults at Broadcasting Minister Dora Siliya.
Ms Phiri has described the incident as unfortunate and an embarrassment to the women because Ms Siliya is not only a politician but a mother and a woman who deserves respect.
The Minister has since asked Unza students to apologise to Ms Siliya and the women as there is no justification to their unruly behaviour.
She said students should find better and meaningful ways to dialogue with relevant authorities when they are aggrieved and avoid engaging in violence that does nothing but disturbs the peace of the nation.
Ms Phiri said as a Christian nation, young people should avoid being used as tools to perpetuate violence by selfish individuals whose motive is to destabilise the peace the nation has continued enjoying.
The Minister has stated emotional, physical and verbal abuse is the main contributing factor to many women shying away from the political affairs of the nation.
“I’m calling on the women to continue advocating for the rights of women and also ensure that women are protected from all sorts of exploitation.
“Zambia is a party to local and international treaties aimed at protecting the freedom of movement for any citizen and Ms Siliya has the right to attend any State or social function without hindrance,” she said.
This is according to a media statement made available to The Independent Observer by Ministry of Gender Media Liaison Officer Mwape Mwenya.
Unza students yesterday hailed all sorts of unpalatable on Ms Siliya who was representing Government at the requiem mass of Unza student who was suffocated to death by police teargass.
