IN celebrating the day dedicated to appreciate women world over, President Hakainde Hichilema has stressed the need to invest in women.
The head of State says investing in women is a strategic imperative which will help accelerate development and progress for societies
The President has also challenged that there is need for a constitutional amendment that will allow for a proportional representation of women in parliament and other sectors of the country.
Speaking when he graced Women’s Day celebrations in Livingstone, Mr Hichilema emphasized the need to invest in women.
He said investing in a woman is a cornerstone to ensuring that an entire society grows and develops.
“Let us invest in women because it is a moral obligation. Basically, it is also a human right issue and a strategic imperative to accelerate development, progress, family and business. I know in my difficult days in politics, if I did not have a strong woman behind, it would have been more difficult,” he said.
President Hichilema wants more women and girls to have access to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
” CDF is not for councillors or council chairpersons to fight over,” he said.
The President also admitted that though progress has been made in ensuring that the girl child and women are taken care of, more needs to be done.
“I will admit that while progress has been done, there is need to improve on the welfare of women,” he noted.
President Hichilema also emphasised that women are the strength that help sustain families which is why they should be taken care of.
He also noted that in as much as women are being recognised, men should not fall behind and be neglected as they too are an element that helps the family system.
President Hichilema added by encouraging more women to take advantage of free education by ensuring that they focus and exhibit hard work.
(Mwebantu, Saturday, 9th March, 2024)