MS-Partners Lack Women

During MS-Zambia Annual Meeting, partners observed and convinced themselves that women participation is very low at all levels. The low participation of women has been in existence for a long time in many development organisations and other institutions. However, women are needed if we are to develop.

By Lottie Chitaula, NewZ reporter

During the MS-Zambia Annual Meeting partners and participants discussed and analysed why women participation is so low as it is.

The participants were divided into groups according to the three components under which MS-Zambia operates.

The components are Agriculture at Community Level, Community Based Natural Resources Management and Democracy and Governance at Local Level.

During the plenary session, a number of problems that cause low women participation were identified. The problems identified were common among the participants.

The most paramount problem identified was cultural beliefs. In all the groups the issue of culture was identified as an obstacle to women participation.

Women should keep quiet

Some of the beliefs that were highlighted were that a woman is not allowed to talk in the presence of men.

If a woman speek in public the particular woman would be considered indisciplined.

Another reason presented was that women were supposed to cook both during meetings and at home.

The consequence has been that women rarely attend the important meetings where most of the developmental discussions and decisions are made. That leaves women out.

Lack of access to information on land issues, human rights and other important matters also limits women to participate and voice out their concerns.

From the analysis made by partners, it was clearly observed that women have no say in most of the developmental activities within the organisations present at the MS-Zambia Annual Meeting.

Culture should be debated

Solutions were identified to answer the problem of low women participation.

One of the solutions was that cultural beliefs should be addressed by approaching the elderly people, headmen, indunas, traditional leaders and many others to find ways of addressing the problem.

“They should also be asked to identify the impact low women participation has on development,” advised the new MS-Zambia Country Director Mr. Kanene during the plenary discussion.

Other solutions included sensitisation meetings with men and women especially at the grass root levels and not forgetting the youths, as they are the future leaders.

Ms. Tafira Lubinda from Zambia Alliance of Women said that a lot of sensitisation workshops have been conducted. She – however, stated that they did not involve the ordinary people in the communities.

Another solution suggested was that sensitisation should start at household level.

“If men and women understand the importance of working together at household level they will also understand the benefits of working together at all other levels,” said Mr. Emmanuel Kamwi, Co-ordinator for NYCA.

Formation of functional literacy classes was also identified as one of the solutions to increase women participation.

Most of women are denied the opportunity to attend a sound education, which has contributed to low women participation. Most times a lot of women fail to express themselves when meetings are conducted in English, as they fear to be laughed at. It is cardinal to educate women.

It was recommended that partners get hold of the National Gender Policy as that could assist them in understanding what is recommended and also inspire them to start talking and dealing with gender.