Picture courtesy of Natasha Chikalipa Bwanga
By Chiluba K. Moyo
The Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) was among the participants at the official launch of the African Women Leadership Network (AWLN) that took place on 30th March, 2022 in Lusaka at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel. The event that was attended both virtually and physically, included amongst others, the Patron of AWLN H.E former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Republican Vice President W.K Mutale Nalumango, First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina Muhammed, Members of Parliament, United Nations representatives, Ambassadors accredited to Zambia and representatives from Civil Society Organisations
Launched in 2017, the Network is a women’s led movement that amongst others, seeks to enhance the leadership of women in the transformation of Africa with a focus on peace, security, governance and sustainable development. Zambia is the 29th Chapter to join the African Network.
Speaking virtually at the event, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Muhammed, in her remarks, stated that the launch of AWLN marked the start of heightened efforts to turn the clock forward for women and girls in Zambia. She further urged women in Zambia and Africa to advocate for taking their rightful place in communities and take on leadership roles in all sectors and further encouraged all men everywhere to become champions and support women’s leadership.
Also speaking virtually, Former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf commended Zambia for joining a network of African countries that is striving to improve women’s participation in leadership. Mrs. Sirleaf stated that womens’s participation in leadership is cardinal because it gives women the voice to address the challenges they are grappling with.
The Vice President, Mrs. W.K Mutale Nalumango in her Keynote address, stated that women in leadership positions have a weakness with regards to networking and sharing ideas. She highlighted that networking and exchange of ideas among women is critical in driving women’s success in leadership. She further urged women to fight limitations caused by tradition and the environment so that they can participate in leadership without challenges. She added that the network would provide renewable hope for women and girls to take up leadership positions in various spheres.
Speaking at the same event, the First Lady, Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema was elated that Zambia has made significant progress in strengthening women leadership roles across all sectors from politics, peace building to social and private sectors adding that she supports the launch because it sets the tone and agenda for sustainable development without leaving anyone behind. She further reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the implementation of the Zambian chapter of the African Women Leaders Network, which she referred to as a ‘grand breaking movement’ that will enhance the leadership of women and girls towards the Zambia and Africa every one wants to see.