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By Geoffrey Phiri
Kasama March 8, 2023, ZANIS—Hundreds of women today gathered at Kasama Boys Secondary School Grounds to commemorate the International Women’s Day.
The women who were mainly glad in their chitenge outfit marched from Kasama Town Centre to the school ground.
And Northern Province Minister, Hon. Leonard Mbao, who graced the event has reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing gender inequalities and empowering women and girls.
Hon. Mbao says this will be achieved with support of cooperating partners who have already shown willingness to support the country to achieve this course.
He thanked cooperating partners, civil society and faith-based organisations for their continued support in efforts to eliminate gender inequalities.
The Provincial Minister added that government also recognizes the importance of gender to promote science.
He says government has developed the national gender policy, the higher education policy on science and technology and others which are aimed at promoting gender-based science, science and innovation participation.
Hon. Mbao has also called for a gender based responsive approach to innovation, technology and digital education in order to increase awareness of women and girls in their rights and civic engagement.
“Their inclusion will bring forth greater potential for innovations and combat online gender-based violence and enhance access to digital tools and bridge digital skills divide. This can be achieved by ensuring equal access for both women and girls to digital technology and opportunities it provides “he said.
Kasama District Commissioner, Eliza Goma, challenged women to take advantage of the free education to take their girl children to school.
Mrs Goma stated that attaining quality education will enable girls and women to achieve their dream and become anything in life.
She observed with the right education women can also compete in male dominated industries such as engineering, aviation among others.
“My challenge to women is that we should take our girl children to school because it will allow them to become anything in life including engineers. I was impressed to see a woman operating an excavator and other machinery which is very encourage” she said.
The Mayor of Kasama, Theresa Kolala, also called on women to stand out and rise on the back of other women who have done great things in the area of economic, political and social life.
Mrs Kolala stated that the celebrations give an opportunity for women to reflect on the road ahead and what remains to be done in the quest for gender equality.
“I must mention that I am humbled and excited to be in the company of many women and women who through dedication, commitment and energy have found the courage to speak out, make change and support each other” she said.
Nalisa Musonda, the Kasama District Women’s Organizing Committee Chairperson, urged government to roll out digital services to all areas to enable women in rural areas to access them.
She noted that women in rural areas are mainly side-lined in accessing digital services due to the non-availability of such services.
The women also did exhibit their competencies and were highlighted by a woman who operated a heavy machinery.
The 2023 Women’s Day was held under the theme: Digital Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.
The Provincial Administration - Northern Province is an extension of Central Government (Cabinet Office) at Provincial level and has a mandate to provide administrative secretariat and coordinate effective implementation of national programmes and policies in the Province.
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