Maravi

Don’t leave MMD presidency to men alone, advises Vera

Don’t leave MMD presidency to men alone, advises Vera
By Inonge Noyoo
Tuesday March 13, 2007 [02:00]

MMD chairperson for women Vera Tembo has urged women not to leave the contest for the party presidency to men alone. And Vera, who is also deputy minister in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, said beer drinking has continued to be an impediment to many young people's future. In an interview, Vera challenged women to be courageous and declare their intention for the party presidency.

Asked if she had any intention of contesting the presidency, Vera said she had no intentions whatsoever, now and in the future. "No, no, no my dear... not at all. I will just rally behind whoever comes up," she said. Vera said there was nothing wrong with a woman declaring her intention to contest the MMD presidency as long as she had the quality for the job.

"We have been sitting idle for a long time and we have allowed men to intimidate us. I am happy that the President gave the green light for anyone to take up the challenge. He did not say just men should take up the challenge," she said. Vera said most women were never courageous.

"I have to encourage women to take part. You never know. With a woman president maybe things could change for the best after all women have hearts of mothers. So let the women come forward. We live in a democracy and we have equal democratic rights why should we let our men take the lead while we lag behind?" Vera asked.

"After all we are the majority voters and if we pledge our support for one candidate we can do it. If Liberia has a woman president and other women in other countries are coming up to take the lead, Hillary Clinton, for example. What will stop us?"

Vera said the tendency of leaving every challenging job to men was retrogressive to women's advancement. Sources within MMD have revealed names of men who are believed to be interested in the party presidency.

And commenting on Youth Day, which fell yesterday, Vera said beer and dagga were the worst enemies to most children's future.

"As parents we should be in the forefront of protecting and safeguarding our children's future. For example some parents send their children to buy beer or to buy them cigarettes. One wonders what kind of a future such parents are preparing for their children," she said. She said youths should aim at educating themselves as a guarantee to a good future. Vera said instead of wasting time smoking, drinking and being involved in illicit activities, young people should devote their time to school and academic other activities.

Labels: PRESIDENCY, VERA CHILUBA, WOMEN

posted by MrK @ 6:45 AM