NGOCC Urges Hichilema to Prioritise Women, Inclusive Growth in Second Term

By Alain Kabinda

The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to make inclusive governance, women’s participation and shared prosperity key priorities during his second five-year term.

Congratulating President Hichilema on his inauguration, NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe in statement issued to Daily News said the new term provides an opportunity for the President to build on his first-term efforts and deepen an agenda that benefits all Zambians.

Ms. Katebe said the President’s “Grow Zambia” agenda should be guided by unity in diversity, stressing that the Head of State has a responsibility to serve all citizens, including those who did not vote for him.

Ms. katebe commended President Hichilema for extending a conciliatory message to the opposition and urged him to take further steps towards national healing.

The organisation called for people currently detained in connection with the just-ended general elections to be brought before the courts of law without delay.

She has further called on President Hichilema to use the 11 nominated parliamentary seats to deliberately increase women’s representation in the National Assembly.

The organisation said preliminary election results once again indicate that women remain significantly underrepresented in Parliament, falling short of the 50 percent gender parity threshold.

Ms. Katebe urged the President to appoint more women to Cabinet and other key decision-making positions.

 Ms. Katebe said increased participation of women in political leadership would help advance Zambia’s constitutional commitments and international obligations on gender equality, including the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.

The organisation said Zambia’s transition from economic stabilisation to growth must result in tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Ms. Katebe also emphasised the need for economic gains to benefit women, who it said constitute a large proportion of Zambia’s poor.

The organisation cautioned that economic expansion should not be measured only through national statistics, but by whether families experience improved livelihoods and greater economic opportunities.

“Expansion must indeed be felt in our homes, not only in national statistics,” Ms. Katebe said.

Ms. Katebe said President Hichilema faces the considerable task of repairing relationships across the political divide and strengthening national cohesion.

Ms. Katebe also urged the President to lead from the front in ensuring that his second term delivers inclusive governance, meaningful participation of women and shared prosperity.

The organisation said the President should lead with humility, inclusiveness and an unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of all Zambians.

Ms. Katebe has also wished President Hichilema wisdom, peace and steadfast resolve as he begins his second term.

The organisation also called on citizens to play their part in building a united, peaceful and prosperous Zambia.