Far from the madding crowd, yesterday the country joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Women’s Day, and Zambian Eye Correspondent looks at how the country’s leaders celebrated the day away from their offices.
President Edgar Changwa Lungu said; “Today I want to celebrate all the Women and girls from different backgrounds who make extraordinary contributions every day across in their respective fields in our society.
“Before I was lawyer and became President, there was a super woman, a marketeer, who always made sure I had I something to eat, clothes to wear and paid attention to school – my late mother!
“Today I am honoured to have another great woman in my life – my wife Esther Lungu, our Country’s First lady! I am also honoured to have great daughters in my life.
“Join me in creating a future which all women and girls can rise and achieve their full potential!”
Meanwhile, United Party for National Development, president, Hakainde Hichilema opted to make it short and sweet saying;
“Once more, happy women’s day.
“How about taking my wife, Mutinta out for a movie tonight?
“Fellow men remember to wish that woman of your heart (mother, sister, wife, girlfriend) a happy day.
“It doesn’t hurt, does it?
“Women, nga tuli pamo punkenimo. God bless the women,”
Democratic Party president Harry Kalaba said; “Happy women’s day to all the women of Zambia. Thank for standing strong against all odds.
“We are better off as a country because of your resilience. God bless you and the work of your hands. Enjoy the day.”
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975 during its International Women’s Year. In 1996, the UN began adopting an annual theme for International Women’s Day, the first of which was “Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future.”
This year’s theme was ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights. The theme was aligned with UN Women’s new multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.