Finland seeks more women in politics

FINNISH ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen is concerned about low levels of women’s participation in politics in Zambia.
Mr Anttinen also said Zambia should recommit itself to enhancing gender equality through various regional and international instruments.
“At the local government level, only six percent of councillors are women while at the national level, women representation is at 11.4 percent,” Mr Anttinen said.

He said this in Lusaka yesterday during a send-off press briefing for three women councillors and two aspiring councillors to Finland on an exchange programme.
The Finnish Embassy and Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) have embarked on a three-year project called `Women in governance’ implemented in Lusaka, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Mpika and Choma.
The exchange visit is aimed at enabling the Zambian delegation and their Finnish counterparts to share good practices on gender equality and promoting women’s political participation at local level.
And Zambia National Women’s Lobby chairperson Beauty Katebe said the councillors are from five political parties.
Gift Kapila, who is aspiring to be a councillor for the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) ticket, said she will use the opportunity to learn how women politicians are faring in Finland.
Ms Kapila pledged to share what she will learn in Finland to encourage women to participate in politics.