Today, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties in the Gender Division, Mr. Kennedy Kalunga, paid a courtesy call on Assistant Secretary Mr. Brian Sichande.

Mr. Kalunga is in the province leading a team to conduct a Needs Assessment for the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme. The assessment is being carried out in four districts of Muchinga Province: Kanchibiya, Shiwangandu, Chinsali, and Nakonde.

The programme adopts a bottom-up approach, allowing beneficiaries to articulate their needs and priorities rather than having the government impose projects on them. This ensures that interventions are tailored to the specific requirements of the communities they aim to serve.

The Gender Division is mandated to promote gender equality by coordinating and monitoring the effective implementation of gender policies in collaboration with other government line ministries and cooperating partners. The Division is committed to protecting and promoting women’s rights, addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and reducing gender inequalities through progressive legislative changes that strengthen the protective environment for women and girls.

Additionally, the Gender Division aims to prioritize the advancement of women by enhancing their capacity to influence decision-making at the highest levels, particularly on issues related to gender equity and equality. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive development and empowering women to play a more active role in shaping policies that affect their lives.

Ruth Mumba
Principal Public Relations Officer
Muchinga Province