By Edward Mulenga
As part of the German government’s Guest Program, a seven (7) women Zambian delegation comprising of a provincial minister, various members of Zambia’s National Assembly, and the mayor of the capital Lusaka as well as representatives from civils society is concluding a one week visit in Germany. The main focus of the visit is the participation of women at various political levels, but also in the economy and civil society.
From October 14 to 20 the delegation headed by Mrs. Princess KASUNE, Minister of Central Province, visited the Federal Republic of Germany where they engaged in high level discussions on how to support and increase the participation of women and girls in various level of governance. The delegation arrived in berlin where they had several engagements and appointments at the Bundestag, the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, and various federal ministries before proceeding to Erfurt, Thuringia.
Thuringia’s Social Affairs Minister, Heike Werner, accompanied by Thuringia’s Equal Opportunities Commissioner, Gabi Ohler, received the delegation in Erfurt. While in Erfurt the delegation met with Thuringian State Chancellery, Minister President Bodo Ramelow and signed the Golden visitors Book.
The Zambian delegation held a roundtable discussion with the women’s policy spokespersons of all parliamentary groups on the topic of women in state politics at the Thuringian State Parliament. The delegation also visited a women’s center as well as a business start-up project where they discussed women in business with the founder, Ms. Anne Kolling, and the Vice President of the Thuringian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Ms. Colette Boos-John.
The Guest Program of the Federal Republic of Germany is a joint initiative of the German Bundestag and the Federal Government. The program is managed by the German Federal Foreign Office. The aims of the Guest program is not only to intensify political dialogue, but to also present Germany to be open to the world and as a partner in political, business and culture. The Guest Program offers the opportunity to expand existing cooperation or establish new contacts and to present Germany as a federal country with rich cultural diversity.
Mrs. Princess KASUNE, Minister of the Central Province, Member of Parliament, Deputy Chairperson of the UPND (ruling party), Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Women in the National Assembly of Zambia, Ms. Brenda NYIRENDA, Member of Parliament (PF, Patriotic Front), Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Women in the National Assembly of Zambia, Ms. Docus Mainga KABIKA, Permanent Secretary for Gender in the Office of the President, Mrs. Chilando Nakalima CHITANGALA Mayor of Lusaka, Ms. Kaira Juliet CHIBUTA, Chairperson of the Zambia National Women’s Lobby, Mrs. Mpatanji NAMUMBA, Chairperson of the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGA), Ms. Chishala Barbara KATEKA, Chairperson of the New Heritage Party.
