UPND Kafue Member of Parliament, Miriam Chonya-Chinyama says Women participation is the
prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy.
Ms. Chonya said the number of women filing in their nominations is highly impressive indicating the great importance UPND leadership attaches to gender equality.
UPND is a gender-sensitive party that will ensure that women have equal representation in key decision-making positions of Government once elected into office on 12th August.
The nomination process of the General Assembly has seen more and more women in UPND file in their nominations to be part of the National Management Committee.
Speaking shortly after successfully filing in her National Management Committee (NMC) nominations papers for the forthcoming UPND General Conference, Ms. Chonya said that she was hopeful that her party, will ensure that it upholds the rights of women and marginalized groups in the country.
She said the Party’s respect for gender mainstreaming was in line with adherence to international protocols and treaties which calls for 50 percent women representation in key decisions making positions of Government.
“I have filed in my nominations for the NMC because I believe that our Party exists at a critical time when it needs the expertise of different people and I believe that our party, which is gender-sensitive which will take into account its adherence to international protocols for women representation in key decision-making positions, ” she said.
She also expressed confidence that UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema, whom she described as a just and inspiring person, will fight for the plight and welfare of women in the country, whom she said has been neglected by the ruling PF.
“Our President, Hakainde Hichilema is a very great inspiration to all of us and I strongly believe that he is a man of justice who will ensure that equity and development reach all the corners of the country without discrimination,” she said.
Her candidature has since been endorsed by Lusaka, Central and Western provinces as per the party’s electoral regulations and guidelines.
UPND will on 14th of this month hold its General Conference in line with Article 51 and 60 of its Constitution and Article 60 of the Republican Constitution.
UPND MEDIA TEAM