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Zambia to establish Gender Equality Commission: president

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Women's Day here on Tuesday, with President Edgar Lungu revealing that plans were underway to establish a Gender Equality Commission.

Lungu said during a commemoration in Lusaka that the creation of the commission will help in addressing the inequalities that hinder women in national development.

The Zambia leader said he has directed relevant government ministries to speed up the process of setting up the commission, adding that his administration was keen to improve the welfare of women in the country.

Lungu, who is seeking reelection in this year's general elections, also said that he will adopt a female as a running mate in the presidential race, and that the governing Patriotic Front will adopt 40 percent of women to stand as candidates in both parliamentary and local government elections.

Meanwhile, Gender Minister Nkandu Luo said her ministry has come up with a number of programs aimed at empowering women in the country. She challenged women to rise up and take part in national development programs.

The commemoration was accompanied by an exhibition consisting of over 100 women organizations, which Lungu took time to inspect.

The theme of this year's Women's Day is "Planet 50 -50 by 2030: Step It Up For Gender Equality". Endit