Minister Mwamba shares government’s aspirations in advancing gender equality

Zambia has committed to scaling up best practices and exploration of innovative and non-traditional means of mobilising financing for women and girls empowerment.

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Doreen Mwamba, expressed hope that progress would be achieved in advancing gender equality.

Mwamba said this when she delivered Zambia’s National Statement during the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.

This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday by Namatama Njekwa, Zambia’s First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambian mission in New York, United States of America.

The Minister noted that advancing gender equality should be done through empowerment of women and girls.

She highlighted government’s efforts in advancing gender equality in the country and stated that government had put in place a strong legal and policy framework to address persistent gender inequalities.

“Despite Zambia’s progress in promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, several critical challenges persist,” Mwamba said.

She also stated that women face difficulties in accessing productive assets hindering their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Mwamba added that many women were employed in the informal sector and gender based violence could threaten progress towards empowerment of women and girls.

“Zambia is currently implementing robust Social Protection Programmes, with the Social Cash Transfer extending coverage to 30 percent of the Zambian population, 55 percent of the poor,” she said.

The minister said about 72 percent of the extremely poor households, among which 56 percent are headed by females were also under the programme.

Mwamba led the Zambian delegation to the Commission which opened on March 11 and runs through to March 22, 2024.

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