ZAMBIA SUPPORTS THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION’S CALL FOR MEMBER STATES TO HAVE NATIONAL GENDER INDICATOR FRAMEWORKS

Zambia has supported the African Union Commission’s call for Member States to have National Gender Indicator Frameworks that reflect the gender strategies and programmes of Government.

Delivering an intervention statement at the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council on the Annual Report on activities of the Union, its Organs and Champions, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Mulambo Haimbe said it was important for Member States to promote the mainstreaming of gender in the national statistical system as well as the establishment of coordination committees for gender statistics.

He also said Zambia was proud to have been bestowed with the role of the African Union (AU) Champion on Ending Child Marriage, a role the President of the Repbulic of Zambia, Mr. Hakinde Hichilema was taking seriously.

Hon. Haimbe further emphasized the need for adequate support and capacity building to national statistical offices and the gender machineries on gender data collection and analysis.

The Minister disclosed that Zambia was currently developing a gender management information systems to aid in the fight against early marriages in Africa.

During the presentation of the Report, African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki commended Zambia for the work done in ending child marriages in Africa.

During the discussion on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Zambia was also commended for hosting the African Continental Free Trade Area Youth Symposium in Lusaka to promote the Youth involvement in the trade agenda of the continent.

And Hon. Haimbe says education is an equalizer and should be made accessible to all regardless of social standing in society.

Commenting on the African Union theme of the year ’’Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, Relevant Learning in Africa, Hon. Haimbe said there was need for Member States to priotise education in order to attain the aspirations of the Agenda 2063.

The Minister said Zambia was already embracing the theme on education through deliberate policies such as the Free Education for All Policy.

He said the increase in the Constituency Development Funds was also contributing to education as many constituencies have witnessed the construction of classroom blocks to accommodate the increasing number of children being retained in schools.

The Minister also said the reintroduction of bursaries at tertiary level was also an indication of Government’s commitment to enhancing education.

The 44th Executive Council Meeting has since opened in Ethiopia with a call on Member States to take appropriate policy and legislative measures and actions to prioritize access to education in Africa.

Mr. Faki expressed concern on the low progress in many African countries recorded towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education.

The Executive Council is a precursor to the 37th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government scheduled to take place from 17th to 18th February, 2023.

Issued by

Mrs. Inutu Mupango Mwanza

First Secretary-Press/Tourism

Zambia Embassy, Addis Ababa

Ethiopia