Zambian Vice President, former UN Resident Coordinator, Ambassadors, and UN Representatives at the launch of the AWLN in Zambia
Over 300 Zambian women joined the books of African history, as they witnessed the official launch of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) – Zambia Chapter, at a momentous occasion held on 30 March 2022 in Lusaka.
The event brought together women and girls from all walks of life, including politicians, civil servants, entrepreneurs, civil society leaders, women with disabilities, rural-based women, and adolescent girls with one common agenda of creating a platform that enhances women's leadership.
The future is indeed brighter when women and girls and present at every table where decisions are made,” Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema, First Lady of the Republic of Zambia.
Giving her keynote and launch speech, Her Honour the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mrs. WK Mutale Nalumango called on women to network and share ideas to enhance their leadership opportunities. She said that the government was committed to ensuring gender equality and the participation of women in leadership.
"The 29th Chapter of the AWLN brings renewed hope and momentum in advocating for enhanced strategic actions for women's leadership roles across all sectors including women at grassroots levels," Mrs. Nalumango said.
And the First Lady of Zambia Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema noted that Zambia has made significant progress in strengthening women's leadership roles across all sectors. She reaffirmed her commitment to the empowerment of women.
“As your partner, I reaffirm my commitment to support the implementation of the African Women Leaders Network Zambia Chapter, a groundbreaking movement that will enhance the leadership of women and girls towards the Africa and Zambia we want. The future is indeed brighter when women and girls and present at every table where decisions are made,” said Mrs. Hichilema.
Other high-level speakers at the launch included the UN Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Amina Mohammed who highlighted the role of AWLN in contributing towards the achievement of SDG number 5 on gender equality by ending all forms of discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against women and girls in the public and private spheres; the former President of Liberia and Patron of AWLN Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who congratulated Zambia for joining the AWLN movement and efforts to enhance the leadership of women; the UNFPA Deputy Regional Director Beatrice Mutali; the Special UN Representative in the Horn of Africa Hanna Tetteh; the Deputy Executive Director for UN Women Anita Bhatia; the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa Ahunna Eziakonwa; the AU Special Envoy on Women Bineta Diop and Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council Board Chairperson Mary Mulenga; Representatives from the UN Country Team; and Zambian parliamentarians.
About AWLN
AWLN is a ground-breaking movement of African women leaders who aim to enhance the leadership of women in the transformation of Africa, in line with Africa Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
It was launched at the UN Headquarters in New York in June 2017, under the auspices of the African Union Commission and the United Nations through the Office of the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security, and UN Women. Five years after it was established, the network comprises over 500 African women across generations and sectors.
The AWLN Zambia Chapter brings new momentum in calling for more visible and strategic action, with deliberate targeting to reach women leaders across all sectors, including women leaders at the grassroots level. Women’s participation and leadership is an essential prerequisites for poverty alleviation and tackling gender inequality.