KALUNGA MUSONDA, Kabwe
FIRST Lady Esther Lungu has urged women to desist from irresponsible beer drinking but rather lead exemplary lives to their children.
Mrs Lungu said it is disheartening that despite campaigns urging parents to lead responsible lives, some have continued to involve themselves in bad behaviour at the expense of their children.
She was speaking in Kabwe on Wednesday when she addressed scores of women around Makwati area who she challenged to be good role models to their children.
“We are the mothers to our children, and we should ensure that we behave in a way that is worthy of emulating by our children,” Mrs Lungu said.
Mrs Lungu said women should be sober-minded and focused to improve their livelihoods and cultivate a good future for their children.
She said alcohol abuse is known to trigger gender-based violence in homes, and that it is possible for one to opt out of the habit if one makes up their mind to do so.
“As women, if we do not change our ways of beer drinking, our children will surely emulate our ways. And if that happens, then who are the future leaders of our nation?” Mrs Lungu said.
The First Lady also urged parents to invest in girls’ education because “educating a woman is as good as educating a nation”.
“When a woman is empowered with a skill, it makes things easier in a home because that empowers her to put food on the table for her family,” Mrs Lungu said.
She also urged women to work together in various income-generating groups and clubs in their communities.
Mrs Lungu said women need to rally together and support one another in all undertakings as it is one of the sure ways that will help them succeed in their endeavours and achieve gender equality.
Meanwhile, the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) has commended the First Lady for launching the Esther Lungu Foundation (ELFT) which is aimed at improving lives of the vulnerable, reports MELODY MUPETA in Kitwe.
YWCA Copperbelt regional co-ordinator Sharon Chisanga said in an interview yesterday that the ELFT has come at the right time, when many people are facing a lot of challenges.
“As an organisation that greatly fights gender-based violence, we are pleased to know that the First Lady is also helping us in protecting the vulnerable people in society,” Ms Chisanga said.
She expressed hope that the trust will benefit women and children, who are the most vulnerable in society.
Mrs Chisanga said it is good that the ELFT aims to give hope to vulnerable girls, especially those that fall prey to sexual violence.