Maravi

Rupiah's threats on Nkomeshya sadden women's movement

Rupiah's threats on Nkomeshya sadden women's movement
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sun 18 Sep. 2011, 13:53 CAT

THE women's movement has appealed to all political leaders to desist from dragging traditional leadership into partisan politics as this can be a source of discontent and mistrust among people.

NGOCC board chairperson Beatrice Grillo expressed disappointment and sadness over President Rupiah Banda's threats to de-throne chieftainess Nkomeshya. She said the threats were uncalled for and to a large extent detrimental in promoting the democratic dispensation of the country and more especially the collective efforts towards attaining gender equality and equity.

Grillo said the women's movement was particularly concerned that the threats were directed at the chieftainess when there had been other chiefs who had made various statements urging their subjects to vote in a particular manner, which was a clear violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct and the laws of the land.

"It is unfortunate that such threats and attacks on the chieftainess are coming from a head of state, evidently going against the freedom of expression which is a democratic right of every Zambian citizen. It is our expectation that the Republican President exhibits characteristics of a fatherly figure and embrace all (whether female or male) regardless of one's cultural, ethnic tribe, religion, colour and indeed political affiliation," she said.

She urged the two leaders to resolve their differences amicably through dialogue as they were both key stakeholders in providing leadership in the country.

She said the differences between the two leaders were insignificant when compared to opportunities of cooperation in the interest of taking development of the country forward.

"It is our expectation that the President will take the initial step towards this dialogue in an embracing and nurturing manner in order to reach a common ground," she said.

Grillo said this was not a period for name-calling and issuing threats due to differences in opinion, values and beliefs, but a time to focus attention on what type of development was going to be delivered to the people.

She appealed to all leaders - political, religious, civil society and traditional - to embrace one another.

"The need to exercise maximum tolerance of divergent views and opinions is paramount and should be encouraged," she said.

Grillo said as the country goes to the polls on Tuesday, it was important that all political party leaders curtailed the escalating political violence that the country was experiencing.

Labels: NGOCC, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 12:37 AM