Deputy Speaker Calls for Financial Support to Empower Women in Politics

By Mary Kachepa

First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Malungo Chisangano, has called for concerted efforts to enhance access to financial support for women in politics.

Ms. Chisangano highlighted that, despite constitutional provisions and commitments to gender equality, women in politics continue to face significant challenges, including political violence and intimidation.

She acknowledged Zambia’s progress in increasing women’s participation in political leadership, citing the appointment of the second female Vice President and the first female Speaker of the National Assembly. However, she emphasized that more needs to be done, as only 25 out of 167 members of the National Assembly are women.

Ms. Chisangano made these remarks during the Governance and Institutional Strengthening Clean Money in Elections Project Programme, held to commemorate Women in Politics Day. The event was organized by Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, TIZ Chapter President Priscila Chansa urged the government to create a conducive environment for clean political party financing. TIZ Executive Director Morris Nyambe added that the organization will continue advocating for the regulation of political party campaign financing, including the enactment of laws to encourage transparency in funding sources and spending limits.