Zambia making progress in advancing gender equality – Hon. Mwamba

16th March 2024

NEW YORK – Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Hon. Doreen Mwamba, M.P, says Zambia is hopeful that progress will be achieved in advancing gender equality through empowerment of women and girls.

Delivering 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, Hon. Mwamba highlighted the Government’s efforts in advancing gender equality in the country.

The Minister said Zambia remained committed to scaling up best practices in empowering women and girls.

Hon. Mwamba underscored the importance of scaling up best practices, including the exploration of innovative and non-traditional means of mobilising financing for empowerment of women and girls.

Hon. Mwamba said the Government has put in place a strong legal and policy framework to address persistent gender inequalities.

However, Hon. Minister noted that despite Zambia’s progress in promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, several critical challenges persist.

“Women face difficulties in accessing productive assets hindering their entrepreneurial aspirations. Additionally, many women are employed in the informal sector, and gender based violence continues to threaten progress towards empowerment of women and girls,” she said.

Meanwhile, Hon. Mwamba stated that 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, and 72 percent of the extremely poor households, among which 56 percent are headed by females.

The Hon. Minister is leading the Zambian delegation to the Commission which opened on 11th March and runs through to 22nd March 2024.

This is contained in a statement issued by first Secretary for Press and public relations Namatama Njekwa.