SPEAKER MUTTI DELIVERS REPORT TO 40TH SESSION OF THE FORUM OF WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS AT THE 151st INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)

Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Ms Nelly B. K Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, says that achieving gender parity is fundamental to democratic legitimacy and effective governance.

Speaking when she presented the Report on the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament held on 28th July, 2025,  to the 40th Session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva Switzerland, Speaker Mutti said that Parliaments must be representative, gender-sensitive, and free from violence and harassment.

Speaker Mutti noted that while women’s representation has advanced, true parity remains distant and called on everyone to join the IPU’s “Achieving gender equality, action by action” campaign and to take the transformative actions that the campaign calls for.

The Speaker reported that the discussions during the Summit reflected deep concern about the state of the world which is marked by rising polarization, declining trust in institutions, and continuing conflict, noting that women and girls bear the greatest burden, yet their leadership remains underrepresented.

She stated that the Summit agreed on four key areas of action as follows:

  1. Rebuilding trust in democracy must begin with inclusion;
  2. Placing gender equality at the heart of peace and security;
  3. Response to climate change and technological transformation must put women’s leadership at its core; and
  4. Gender parity must become the norm, not the exception.

Speaker Mutti called on the Forum of Women Parliamentarians to continue championing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

“As we move forward, we count on this Forum to continue transforming commitment into concrete action — championing the Women, Peace and Security agenda and mobilizing parliaments to make peace and equality a lived reality,” Speaker Mutti stated.

Speaker Mutti who is  Vice President of the IPU Africa Geo-political Group, is accompanied at the 151st IPU Assembly and Related Meetings by Mr Harry Kamboni, MP, Mr Oliver Amutike, MP, Ms Jacqueline Sabao, MP, Mr Elias Daka, Mr Kenny Siachisumo, MP and Mr Imanga Wamunyima, MP.