MONICA KAYOMBO, Lusaka
JEALOUSY by their partners is among reasons some women from Msaka chiefdom in Mushindamo district in North-Western Province are sceptical of taking up leadership positions in society. This development has saddened Chief Msaka, who is seeking reversal of the trend. The traditional leader has cited other factors as lack of education and capacity building among women.
Speaking yesterday during a motion: ‘National guidance and gender matters’, during the sixth sitting of the House of Chiefs, Chief Msaka implored civil society organisations to take interest and visit his area to help the women realise their potential.
“I have no woman in any leadership position, be it at cooperative or social group,” he said. Contributing to the debate, Chieftainess Msoro said the patriarchy system has been embraced as a norm because most people think that leadership is about men. “We need to have intentional partnerships with men. Men need to stand up for women,” she said. The traditional leader said it is cardinal to have men that mean well towards the plight of women. Chieftainess Kawaza said the issue of gender is a challenge at both traditional and national levels. She said the number of women in decision-making positions remains very low despite efforts to improve the situation. “In this House of Chiefs, we are only five [women] out of a total of 50 chiefs,” she said.
Chief Chimuka said men and women believe in the patriarchy system because of socialisation. He called for massive cultural transformation programmes to address the problem. Chief Puta said it is important to realise that education is the best equaliser when it comes to gender parity.