Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, The Rt. Hon. Ms. Nelly B.K. Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, has welcomed Her Excellency Ms. Rebecca Terzeon, the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Zambia, calling for strengthened collaboration and support between the two nations.
Speaker Mutti said this when the High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on her at Parliament Buildings on Monday, 17th March 2025. She noted that Zambia and the UK share a long-standing relationship dating back to the colonial era, which has influenced many of Zambia’s laws and governance structures, including the Standing Orders of Parliament.
She stated that while there is no specific political party bill dedicated to promoting women's representation, broader strategies are being pursued to increase female participation in politics. She said the goal is to achieve at least 50% representation of women in Parliament, though the current figure stands at 15%.
“As an immediate target, efforts are being made to reach 30% representation as a step toward the ultimate goal,” Speaker Mutti said.
She further noted that constitutional reforms are still in the drafting stage, with a key focus on addressing gender parity in political representation. Additionally, she announced plans to establish a crèche for young mothers, with the foundation stone set to be laid on 27th March 2025.
Meanwhile, H.E Ms. Terzeon congratulated Speaker Mutti on receiving a Commonwealth Award and commended her for making history as Zambia’s first female Speaker. She noted that Zambia and the UK share similar objectives, particularly in promoting women's participation in politics.
The British High Commissioner also inquired about potential areas where the UK could support Zambia, including mutual beneficial collaboration, support for the Zambian Parliament and the status of ongoing constitutional reforms. She expressed interest in political party bills aimed at enhancing women’s participation in leadership and governance.
The discussions reflected a shared commitment to strengthening the partnership between Zambia and the UK, with a focus on mutual values and opportunities for collaboration. The meeting also touched on the importance of investment in Zambia, trade partnerships and job creation as key areas for future engagement.
