PHWAZI COUNCILOR RECOUNTS HER POLITICAL JOURNEY IN THE RUN-UP TO 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Women taking the mantle of leadership in politics.

"The [PF] party was looking for a female candidate to contest for the Phwazi Ward here in Feira Constituency during the  2016 general elections. A lot of women who were approached in this area refused to be adopted because they did not have the necessary academic qualifications, which is the Grade 12 school certificate. And that is how I was approached to contest .... .Of course, I had my Grade 12 school certificate and by then I was working as a Community Health Worker at the local clinic. But I also refused because I thought I was not going to manage to speak for the people if I was to be elected as a councillor and generally I did not have interest in politics," recalled Catherine Phiri who is re-contesting her seat as Phwazi Ward  Councilor on 12 August this year."

"As if that was not enough, many people objected that I could not stand as a councillor because I was not married and it is against our tradition. It was at this point that several organisations started sensitising the people in this community that any person whether married, single man or woman etc can be a leader.

And the party here insisted that they only wanted a female and that they had seen some leadership qualities in me...... At last, they convinced me, I accepted and that is how I was adopted. I stood on PF ticket in 2016 and I won.

Ms Phiri continued, " after I was adopted in 2016 I did not engage the media and so it was difficult for me to campaign. You can imagine we used to walk a distance of about 7 to 8 kilometres just to reach out to electorates and sell my manifesto."

Ms Phiri has now come to appreciate the role of the media in disseminating information to the masses within the shortest period, though she complained that the only nearby Radio station is Radio Explora which is very far away from her ward [Phwazi].

She said with the coming on board of Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), an organisation which is contributing to the social-economic, political and legal advancement of women, she is now able to engage the media and she has planned to hold a series of radio programs as she campaigns for this year's elections.

And Councilor Phiri observed that among the factors which contribute to low participation of women in politics include lack of education, lack of interest in politics, lack of support for women leaders as well as inadequate financial support.

She noted that a lot of women have low self-esteem. They do not have confidence in themselves due to lack of support from their fellow women when it comes to politics and others take politics as a career for men only while some women politicians are perceived by the society as prostitutes," she lamented, saying this is a huge setback as well.

The Civic leader further complained that "the issue of money is another challenge affecting women, you will find that you don't have resources for campaign activities and much worse for nomination. Last year it was a challenge for me to raise money for nomination."

"Another challenge came when it was time to certify our Grade 12 school results, we had to travel to Lusaka because the Examination Council of Zambia has no offices here. If ECZ can decentralise the certification process of G-12 results it can be better for us.

The Civic leader further emphasised the need for women to improve their levels of education and to support their fellow women who intend to contest for an election if women participation in politics is to improve in the country.

Commenting on the issue at hand, Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) National Director, Maureen Samulela Tresha who expressed happiness that women are now taking interest to contest for elections said the organisation desires to see as many females as possible contesting elections at Presidential, Parliament and Local government levels so that they can take part in the decision making process.

Mrs Tresha further implored leaders from the political parties to ensure that the political environment is conducive for women participation by avoiding violence.

She also expressed delight with Chief Mphuka of the Chikunda people of Luangwa District who has been supporting women leadership in the area.

"We love Chief Mphuka [of the Chikunda people]. We see a lot of positive energy [ in him] and a lot of support for WLSA and women in general. He is one of the chiefs who understands the need to be gender-sensitive in leadership. If there is a man in a certain leadership position then to him(the chief) the deputy should be a woman and vice versa. He is one of the traditional leaders who has been very supportive when it comes to promoting women in key leadership positions by appointing women to be head- persons. We are hoping that even as time unfolds we will have more Headwoman, women Councilor's and it will be great to have a female Member of Parliament in Feira Constituency."

She encouraged women aspiring for political offices " to go for it because currently there isn't much to talk about in terms of numbers and percentage of women at parliamentary level per cent, Councillorship levels compared to men. In Parliament we have less 17 per cent of women leadership and less than 10 per cent in the councils, that is a big problem that needs to be addressed"

And Mphuka Ward Councilor in Feira Constituency of Luangwa District, Arthur Lungu also added his voice saying he is convinced that the number of women councillors and in other leadership making positions is poised to increase after August 12, 2021, general owing to the advocacy works on Gender being implemented by WLSA.

Mr Lungu says the number of female councillors after this year's polls will surpass the current number of two councillors in the area provided Women and Law in Southern Africa continue with sensitisation between now and August.

He says the just-ended Women in Decision-Making project which started in 2018 has changed people's mindset on issues of Gender.

He has called for financial and educational support for women to raise their profile as the lack of education and finances, most women are disadvantaged to participate in leadership positions.

"I have hope that after 12 August 2021 the number of women in elective positions will increase especially in this area if you continue engaging the community. So don't slow down on your works of educating the community," Mr Lungu said.

"Political parties must give chance to female candidates by adopting them especially this year. Women may have an opportunity to win an election but where there is an issue is during adoption process its very trick," he said.

"As WLSA you must continue with these sensitisation workshops you have been doing here. Some women have a negative perception of their fellow women. So women must be told to support their fellow women who are in leadership."

He said, "look at the Vice President madam, Inonge Wina she is the first female to serve in that position in the history of this country. So those are some of the examples which should be cited when educating women so that they can start believing that even women can also be leaders."