The Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Nelly B.K. Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, today, 8th March 2026, joined the nation in commemorating International Women's Day held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action for ALL Women and Girls.”
Dr. Mutti led staff from the National Assembly of Zambia in taking part in the national commemorations alongside other stakeholders.
The national event was graced by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, who served as Guest of Honour. Also, in attendance were the Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata, MP, the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Mrs. Loveness Mayaka, Members of Parliament, Government officials, civic leaders and other invited guests.
Speaking during the celebrations, President Hichilema said Zambia continues to advance women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.
President Hichilema noted that the country has women serving in key national positions, including the Vice President, while the National Assembly also has the first female Speaker, Dr. Mutti and the first female First Deputy Speaker, Hon. Malungo A. Chisangano, MP.
The President further said women are also serving in other senior leadership roles, including the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Ms. Mwangala Zaloumis, as well as Permanent Secretaries, Directors in the public sector, parastatal chief executives and leaders in the private sector.
"We want these women to continue conducting themselves well and professionally so that they can be good examples to girls in schools to emulate," President Hichilema said.
The President said that although the country has made progress in placing women in decision-making roles, there is still more work to be done in undertaking the necessary reforms.
"That is why we want to celebrate at today's Women's Day, the Constitutional Amendment Act No 13 of 2025, which emanated from Bill No. 7, a very much debated Bill which led us to an approval in Parliament," he said.
President Hichilema therefore, thanked Speaker Mutti for her role in the process which resulted in the amendment to the Constitution through the Constitutional Amendment Act No. 13 of 2025, noting that the reform strengthens inclusive representation of women in Parliament for the first time in Zambia and will also increase women’s representation in District and Municipal Councils.
"We had to legislate through these reforms and today we can stand that after 2026 August 13th elections, irrespective of the open election results in Parliament and in the Councils, we will have at least 20 additional women in Parliament," he said.
The participation of the Speaker and staff from the National Assembly reflects the institution’s commitment to promoting the rights, opportunities and participation of women and girls in national development.
In recent engagements, Dr. Mutti has continued to advocate for increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making processes, including encouraging political parties to adopt more women as candidates ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
