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Local government minister Professor Nkandu Luo says councils have a major role to play in the enhancement of economic development.
Luo has hinted that if the local authorities got their planning right and involved more women in the planning and running of councils, the nation would economically improve.
The Patriotic Front was elected on the pretext that it would offer a decent life to the people across the nation and most importantly the women who are the most dispossessed group in deferent sections of the Zambian society.
Prof Luo noted that women play a major role in any countries' economic development and by excluding them we exclude half of the Zambia's productive population. She has since directed councils in the country to work towards adopting more women in decision-making positions. The call came at the official opening the two-day extraordinary meeting of the annual conference of the local government association of Zambia held at Gonde Lodge in Kabwe.
"Gender Links has a big job to do as male participants dominated the LGAZ ahead of the elections". She challenged the organisation to ensure the election of more women in the LGAZ executive to enhance gender mainstreaming. Her main message was that it is time that local authorities conformed to the provisions of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
She commended the work that Gender Links in partnership with the local government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) is doing in enhancing gender mainstreaming in local authorities.
In addition, speaking earlier, Kabwe municipal council mayor, Moses Mwansa said that the Gender Links and the local government association's participation in formulating policies and legislation affecting governance and management of local authorities in Zambia, could not be over emphasised.
Mwansa said it was important that the GL and the association, was fully involved at various points of policy formulation, in search and acts as an advisory board at the same time, on issues related to management of local authorities.
Mwansa observed that the objectives of the local government association of Zambia were very clear and the presence of the association in all local authorities would ensure proper government and management of all councils.
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