Women’s Lobby Group trains female politicians on credibility

Women’s Lobby Group trains female politicians on credibility
By Edwin Mbulo in Choma
Fri 22 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT

NATIONAL Women’s Lobby Group (NWLG) has embarked on a training programme to make political women candidate’s credible leaders as they go into campaigns.

In an interview at Choma’s Riverside Lodge where 45 women drawn from different political parties in Southern Province met, NWLG vice-chairperson Hellen Kalikeka said she was looking at a situation where more women would offer themselves to aspire for different political offices during this year’s elections.

“We as women can only offer meaningful development if we participate in the highest political offices,” Kalikeka said.

She said women faced a challenge in politics due to bad language and violence which were becoming the order the day.

“We wish politicians could concentrate on issues. With the mushrooming of political parties, we are also challenging women to make serious decisions on which political party ticket they should avail themselves as some of these political parties have uncertain future,” she said.

Kalikeka said the women’s lobby group was holding countrywide workshops to prepare women for this year’s election and have so far held workshops in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern and now Southern Province.

“We are bringing together all women candidates before this year’s election so that we make them credible leaders,” she said.

And NWLG Southern Province board chairperson Joyce Mwachiyeya Mushe said many women in the province had shown willingness to contest in this year’s elections and were ready to challenge men.

“We have 45 women from different political parties and I urge men and voters to support the women because they are humble and do not insult like men. We are looking at how the women should approach voters and also public speaking as we approach this year’s election,” Mushe said.