By Staff Writer
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has bemoaned the dismissal of former Minister of Information and Media, Chushi Kasanda as the decision further reduces the number of women in Cabinet.
NGOCC Executive Director Anne Mbewe said the Head of State should have considered replacing Kasanda with another woman or transferring her to another Ministry.
“Over the years NGOCC and the women’s movement in general have been deeply concerned with the low numbers of women in decision making positions as this adversely impacts the development trajectory since decisions are made devoid of women’s voices,” she said.
Ms Mbewe said it is critical that when making decisions, the unique needs of women, men, girls and boys should be taken into consideration.
She said it is sad to note that the number of women remains low both at Parliamentary and local Government levels.
“Further, it is sad to note that female representation in Cabinet has further reduced with the removal of Hon. Kasanda. We have further noted that the President has also dismissed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Ms. Anne Songolo. It is our hope therefore that Ms. Songolo will be replaced by another woman,” she said.
The women’s movement has congratulated Princess Kasune on her appointment as Provincial Minister for Central province.
“Article 259 of the Republican Constitution clearly stipulates that those who make appointments to various positions should take gender balancing into consideration. As we have stated before, sustainable development will remain a pipe dream if women, who constitute 51 percent of the population are left out of the development processes,” she said.
