MATHEWS NDANDULA writes
WITH a background in Social Work, the Kanyama Member of Parliament has proven her in-born desire to serve the people and uplift the quality of their life.
Elizabeth Phiri was voted into office in 2016 and is currently also serving as Minister of Gender has expressed concern at the rising levels of crime being reported and has called on residents to take a proactive role in ensuring security.
The law maker recently advised the residents of Lusaka’s Makeni Villa area to form the security groups (neighbourhood watch) to work hand in hand with the police as a way to arrest the criminal activities of youth – commonly referred to as junkies
Speaking during a mobilisation drive in Makeni Villa ward, she expressed concern at the number of attacks that have been recorded in the area.
“I have been told that this is the headquarters of these small boys called junkies who have continued killing and attacking people every day, but let me warn them I have said this on several occasions now I will tell the police not to bond or bail them once they are caught I want them to go direct to prison so that by the time they come back they will be better people in the society, to you the parents these junkies you know them there are our children they stay in our homes we eat with them please report them one by one even if you know that my neighbour s son is a junkie or my son report to the police so that they are picked it’s better for them to go to prison because here they may be killed by mob once caught in those bad acts and you will lose a son.
“As your servant I will do everything possible to protect your lives, you have complained of load shedding and bad roads let me assure you roads are coming we have already started bring sand to level the ground and when it comes to load shedding I will talk to Zesco management so that they explain to me how their schedule for this place is. Load shedding should be equal in all areas so if here it’s more than what is expected it will be solved once I approach them,” said Ms Phiri.
David Lukwanda, who is Makeni Villa ward chairman also registered some challenges being faced in the area and made an appeal to the area MP to look into the issue of empowerment so that it benefits everyone.
Speaking earlier at the same event Kanyama Ward 10 councillor Brighton Bilumba thanked the Minister of Gender proving herself as a representative of the people of Kanyama in both bad and good times.
Mr Bilumba then endorsed Ms Phiri as the only candidate suitable for Kanyama as a Member of Parliament ahead of 2021 General Elections because she has delivered in a lot of things.
Born on 26 October 1960, the Gender Minister Elizabeth Phiri has insisted the there is need for women to offer themselves for elective positions as Members of Parliament and Councillors.
Ms. Phiri said there was need for society to support and vote for women.
“It has always been the desire of the government to ensure that we have equal representation of both men and women in politics and decision-making positions. The government through the Ministry of Gender therefore, remains committed to working with Civil Society and the women’s movement to ensure that we have more women in Parliament and Local Government after the 2021 General Elections,” Ms. Phiri said.
“I appeal, firstly, to women, to offer themselves for elective positions as Members of Parliament and Councillors. Currently, women’s representation in Parliament is at about 17.2 per cent down from 18.1 per cent, recorded after the 2016 General Elections. This is despite the fact that women constitute almost 51 per cent of the country’s population. President Edgar Lunguhas over the years demonstrated his government’s desire to bring about greater gender equity and equality at the highest level.”
Ms. Phiri said prior to the 2016 elections, President Lungu and the PF party adopted a woman as a running mate who today is the country’s Republican Vice President.
She said the Head of State has further appointed a number of women to key decision-making positions.
Ms. Phiri said women remained under-represented in key decision-making positions, especially those in political offices, more than two decades after signing the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995.
She said to achieve the 50/50 representation; there was need for women to actively participate at all levels of decision-making.
“Without the active participation of women and incorporation of women’s perspectives at all levels of decision-making, sustainable development goal number five (5) will not be achieved.
The gender minister continues to support the members of her community in uplifting their lives.
