Zambia National Women’s Lobby Condemns Verbal Attack on Kitwe Mayor

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), an NGO advocating for gender equality, has condemned sexist comments made towards Kitwe Mayor, Mwaya Mpasa. The comments were made by Warren Hinyama, the United Party for National Development (UNPD) Copperbelt Youth Chairperson.

It has been alleged that Hinyama told Mpasa to find a husband so that she behaves and stops frustrating the current government.

In a statement, ZNWL National Chairperson, Daisy Nhkata Ng’ambi, said Hinyama was “out of line and should avoid character assassination”. She pointed out this type of rhetoric was entirely at odds with the beliefs of the party he represented, which abhors physical and verbal violence.

Ng’ambi expressed concern about the effects of such speech on the wider participation of women in politics. “Politics of character assassination and violence especially targeted at women have no place in our country as they only stifle democracy by limiting women’s participation in governance processes. Violence in whatever form, whether verbal of physical, should be discouraged by political leaders in preference for tolerance of divergent views and constructive resolution of disputes”.

She went on to urge Hinyama to restrict his speech and debates to political, not personal, matters.

The UNPD has previously proven itself to be a party that advocates for women’s right to full political participation. President Hakainde Hichilema was recently commended by the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council on his gender-balanced Permanent Secretaries and Judges appointments.

Photo: Lusaka Times