Opposition Parties Shun Women's Day

By Paul Shalala

Men and women marching on Women's Day

They came in their large numbers to commemorate the day in which they honor and celebrate the female folk.

These are women from all walks of life who today spent a large part of the morning marching in support for women's rights.

Soldiers, Police officers, teachers, pupils, civil servants, activists and men all joined in the march-past.

The women marched through several parts of Lusaka and ended their journey in the Showgrounds where Vice President Dr Guy Scott and Gender Minister Inonge Wina stood in a saluting dias.

Entertainment by Zambia's women's rights musician Sista D charmed several Zambians who could not resist but join the dance.

Later, President Michael Sata, in a speech read by Dr Scott called for the empowerment of women through loans and land access.

He urged the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Gender to work together and increase access to land among women.


President Sata also urged the Ministry of Gender to also work towards the easy access of loans by women.

Gender Minister Inonge Wina and Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) chairperson Beatrice Grillo paid tribute to the role women are playing in society.

This year's Women's Day celebration were shunned by almost all opposition political parties.

The former ruling party UNIP was the only one that showed up at the event.

The ruling Patriotic Front had over 500 women from its Women's League who formed a long queue while marching past the saluting dais.

This year's International Women's day was commemorated under the theme:  INSPIRING WOMEN, CELEBTRATING GOD'S FAVOUR ON 50 YEARS OF WOMEN'S EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT.