MS Zambia Newsletter April 2009

Women win the day in Luangwa

Women do not usually decide much in Zambia. But things are changing in Luangwa, where a concerted effort to include women is paying off.

By Mr. Munkombwe, LDFA

03. April 2009

For centuries women have been neglected in African societies and particularly in Zambia. Although women carry out many of the same tasks as men, such as working long hours in the fields to provide food security, while also cooking for the families, fetching water and fire wood, financing school materials for the children, taking children to clinics and even dancing for the politicians during campaigns just to mention but a few, decision-making has traditionally been left entirely for men.

To change this situation, in the previous year Luangwa District Farmer's Association (LDFA) decided to promote women in decision making positions. And they decided to start with themselves, by focusing on their own decision making structures at both zone and district level. To this effect, the secretariat together with the board members vigorously held sensitisation workshops in all the zones to explain on gender equality and equity.

During these meetings men justified why the situation is as it is: “The cardinal issues that came out were low education levels, culture in the form of traditional beliefs and religion. These things govern our society and compel women not to be involved in the decision making. This attitude becomes an economical barrier to development,” explains Mr. Shamboko B. Tembo of Chidada village, one of the participants in the workshops.

And the workshops seem to have worked. One tangible result can be seen in the election results for LDFA's executive committee, where there are now 50% women represented. Before the sensitisation, the level was only at 20-30%. Another good sign is that more women than before are believed to be influential in the societies, where they live. “We have noticed recently that our meetings are now being attended by a majority of women. They seem to be better at informing each other that there is a meeting taking place and consequently, a lot more a now showing up to voice their concerns”, says Mr. Munkombwe of LDFA. So the message of gender equality is spreading gradually, and even reaching people, who are not members of LDFA.