JIMMY CARTER FOUNDATION SPONSORS YOUTH,WOMEN CANDIDATES IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE
By ANDREW MUKOMA
THE Jimmy Carter Foundation under the Advancing Women and Youths in Governance project has sponsored 15 youth and women candidates who have since been adopted by different political parties in Monze and Gwembe.
The six-month project funded by the foundation to the tune of Us $5,000 (roughly K110, 000) is targeted at women and youths in the two districts.
This is part of its objective to promote participation of both youths and women in governance issues thereby reduce the existing gender inequalities.
Gender Justice Director Collins Mumba said the Carter Foundation funded his organisation to advance women and youths in governance in the two districts.
He explained in Monze that out of 16 wards in Gwembe 13 youths and women were adopted to stand as councillors under the Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development (UPND), and the Socialist Party.
Mr Mumba added that in Monze two women contesting the National Assembly were also adopted under the Democratic Party and Socialist party.
“We have a total of 15 women and youths who adopted from the PF, UPND, DP, and the Socialist party under the Advancing women and youths project funded by the Jimmy Carter Foundation at the tune of US$5,000 for six months,” Mr. Mumba said.
“I must add that for the first time since 1964 in the history of Gwembe District, we now have four women who were adopted and contesting as councillors and for us that is a huge milestone and this has been made possible by the Carter Foundation,” he added.
Mr Mumba emphasised the need for all political parties to realise that it was a constitutional right for women to be supported and stand as elective positions for an all-inclusive governance system.
He thanked the Carter Foundation for the financial support towards women and youths, saying such projects have potential to help the country attain the both regional and international protocols on reducing gender inequalities in politics and governance systems.
