WLSA EULOGISED FOR PROMOTING WOMEN'S RIGHTS

By Christopher Chisi

Luangwa District Administrative Officer, Daisy Phiri has commended Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) for promoting Gender issues, in particular women participation in leadership and decision making positions in the area.

Speaking when WLSA officials led by Organisation Legal Assistant, Sombo Masuwa paid a courtesy call on her at her office on Monday (25 January 2021) , Ms Phiri noted that WLSA has done well in advocating for women participation in decision-making positions as well as imparting knowledge in communities on the dangers of GBV.

She said people are now appreciating the services which WLSA is providing in the area. 

The DAO added that because of its works, WLSA has become one of the key partners in development for the district and has since encouraged the organisation to continue sensitising people on GBV and issues of women's and children's rights.

"We are very lucky the way you [WLSA] have worked with us in the community. People here are appreciating, the women even the two chiefs [Senior Chief Mburuma of the Nsenga-Luzi people and Chief Mphuka of the Chikunda people.] are appreciating what you have done in our district. They are generally talking highly about you because of the services you have brought in Luangwa."

The District Administrative Officer however observed with worry that the lack of education is among the major hindrance to women participation in leadership positions and urged further appealed to the organisation to sensitise women on the importance of education.

" In rural areas, most women are not educated, but there is this issue of, when one wants to stand as a councillor they need to have an [minimum ] of Grade 12 school certificate. As  DAO I could like to have more women in the decision-making process because as women we will and we can always make a difference. Remember that when a woman is educated it means the whole world is educated."

Further, the District Administrative Officer expressed concern over the low compliance levels to Covid-19 health guidelines by some members of the community in the area.

"People here don't take it (CoronaVirus) seriously because they have never seen anyone dying of it, they think the virus is just a joke...So with your coming, we [ should ]put our hands together to do something..Of course, our officers from the Luangwa town Council and health department are on the ground sensitising the people on the pandemic," She said.

And Ms Masuwa explained that the Women Lead Organisation was in the district for 10 days starting Monday the 25 of January 2021, to sensitise people not only on GBV, women and Children's right but also on the Covid-19 pandemic which has continued to claim lives in the country.

Ms Masuwa explained that "WLSA has decided to conduct sensitisations on Covid-19 pandemic for the betterment of the community."

She thanked the District authorities for being receptive and allowing the organisation to conduct it's advocacy works.