By JOHN SAKALA
Gender Minister Elizabeth Phiri (MP) has called on the media to highlighting achievements, challenges and prospects of women and girls in both rural and urban areas.
Ms Phiri said as Zambia celebrates 54 years of independence, media houses should consider reporting on women success.
She said women play a critical role in contributing to national development especially that the country is working towards achieving middle income status by 2030.
The Minister has urged the media to focus on showcasing the efforts rural women are putting in place in fighting poverty and enhancing food security at household and national level.
“Women especially in rural communities face difficulties in accessing productive resources such as land, finances and education. But Government has put in place measures such as women economic empowerment programmes that aim to promote accessibility to productive resources.
“Since the formation of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, more women have been appointed in decision making positions and government has created an enabling environment to allow women and men access equal opportunities to the development process of the nation,” she said.
Ms Phiri has said that the Seventh National Development Plan has outlined government`s interventions towards achieving gender equity and equality as well as ensuring that women and girls, men and boys work towards a common goal in attaining sustainable development of the nation without leaving anyone behind.
She has said that the country is making progress in attaining Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 5 which specifically speaks about achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
“I urged media practitioners to promote social-cultural and behaviour re-setting in order to avoid gender stereotyping in society. And is therefore challenging Media houses to have a focus on success stories of women,” she said.
This is according to media release by Ministry of Gender Media Liaison Officer Mwape Mwenya.
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