Women’s Day: to appreciate achievements

(Times of Zambia)-- Each year today, the entire world commemorates International Women’s Day to recognise and appreciate the achievements that women have made economically, politically and socially.

The day first celebrated in 1910 in Copenhagen has today marked a centenary and women must be proud that their struggle for recognition as equal partners in development has not been in vain. It may come as a surprise to many that this day was set aside as far back as 1910 because in many countries, Zambia included, it only gained currency recently culminating in its being gazetted as a public holiday.

It must be a day when women must look back on their past accomplishments because the struggle for recognition was not gained on a silver platter. Like independence struggle, women have fought for equality from years past and results of this struggle are only beginning to show, going by the various policies and conventions that have been passed in their favour. Women must, however, not relent but continue with this fight in focusing on the potential and opportunities for future generations.

This year’s theme of ‘Equal opportunities, equal Rights, progress for all’ must be dissected and interpreted locally for it to have meaning for all women in various sectors of society. Zambia has already made tremendous progress in ensuring equal opportunities for both men and women as evidenced in the many women serving in decision-making positions in Zambia.

The women have been recognised as equal partners in various social and economic sectors of society. Now the women in Zambia are even able to access loans without the consent of their spouses and are engaged in various life empowerment skills, thereby improving their livelihood and that of their families.

The Government of Zambia has also ensured that a girl-child is not denied an opportunity to go to school knowing that when a girl child is educated, the entire nation is educated. And so as the country celebrates this day, the women should rise to the challenge and ensure they continue to fight all the impediments that may act as stumbling blocks.

For the Zambian women, the sky should always be the limit.

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