Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, the Rt Hon Nelly BK Mutti, MP, FAPRA, has called on female Members of Parliament to set aside their political differences and collaborate in advancing the gender agenda in Zambia. Speaking when she officiated at the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Zambian Women Parliamentarian Caucus, held from 18th to 19^th November at Ciela Resort in Lusaka, Speaker Mutti emphasized the pivotal role of unity in driving transformative change.

The Speaker underscored the indispensable need for collective efforts from women, including the limited number of female MPs and various stakeholders, to advance gender equality in the Zambian Parliament. She expressed dismay at the significant gender gap, with merely 25 out of 167 members being women, accounting for a mere 15.4% representation. She cautioned about the lasting impact of this persistent underrepresentation on the pursuit of gender parity within leadership roles.

The Honourable Speaker However, was elated to learn that the 2023-2027 Zambian Women Parliamentary Caucus Strategic Plan, has provided for consolidated efforts towards strengthening the voices of women Parliamentarians, to champion women's empowerment both within and outside the legislative chambers.

Speaker Mutti revealed that the National Assembly is in the process to transform the women caucus into a Standing Parliamentary Committee on Women Affairs, in order to give prominence to women affairs in Parliament. She said the initiative will be instrumental in creating a roadmap that will help push for a Bill on gender parity in Parliament.

 “I believe such a legislation will be a pivotal step for women aspiring to enter politics. It might create a more level playing field, providing equal opportunities for women to participate in political processes thereby fostering a more diverse and inclusive political landscape,” She said.

The Chairperson of the Zambia Women Parliamentary Caucus and Central Province Minister, Hon Princess Kasune, MP echoed Speaker Mutti’s concerns, emphasizing the detrimental impact of internal conflicts among women in politics. She stressed that discord weakens their collective influence, perpetuates stereotypes and deters potential female leaders from entering politics.

Hon Kasune urged the women to emulate the collaborative spirit observed among the male Members of Parliament beyond the political arena, fostering cordial relationships that empower women and girls, irrespective of heated debates or confrontations within the parliamentary setting.

The Chairperson additionally, implored Civil Society Organizations to amplify awareness regarding women's rights and the societal barriers impeding gender parity. She urged proactive advocacy for policy amendments and legal reforms targeting pivotal concerns like gender-based violence, cyberbullying, equitable opportunities, and representation.

And the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Mr James Wakiaga reiterated the UNDP’s and the United Nations systems’ commitment towards supporting efforts that are aimed at ensuring the full realization of gender equality in Zambia.

The Meeting saw the participation of over 40 individuals, including female MPs from both the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front Party (PF), along with representatives from key groups and forums like the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), and the SADC Parliamentary Forum.

Discussions at the Meeting ranged from defining the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus to ways on how to heighten Members’ appreciation of the need to work as a ‘critical mass’ of women within the caucus and inspiring them to eliminate all doubts about the value of the caucus’s and reviewing the ZWPC Constitution for potential amendments.

The First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Malungo A Chisangano, MP, closed the Meeting by emphasizing unity among women and stakeholders, urging them to set aside political disparities in pursuit of achieving gender parity in Zambia.