Linda Kasonde: Walks where no woman walked

SEATED in the seat of authority, ready to take up the challenge, Linda Kasonde, the newly-elected first female Law Association of Zambia president, looked confident, composed and aware of what that office holds for her.
Meeting her in person and for the first time, one could tell that she is not only intelligent but a force to reckon with. She beat two male contenders and emerged victorious at the just-ended LAZ annual general meeting held in Livingstone last weekend.
Having assumed office, the first three things on her diary are: to do the right thing, to be progressive and being bold as she conducts her day-to-day work.
“I want to leave a legacy of having done the right things and be an example of true leadership to women and girls,” Ms Kasonde says.
Indeed true leadership, advocacy and activism are her trademarks that helped her sail through the election which she is ready to display in her quest to carry on the mantle of the association to greater heights.
Ms Kasonde, who is currently an administrative partner of the Mulenga Mundashi Kasonde Legal Practitioners, notes that it is not just about winning an election but rather it is about delivering on the promises one made.
“Winning an election is not enough but I must ensure I deliver on the promises I made, that are what true leadership is all about,” she expressively said.
The ardent social activist who draws her inspiration and strength, from her mother is proud that she has opened the door where no woman walked and hopes to leave it open for other women to walk through.
“Now that I have opened the door, it is time that other women aspire for this position and aim even higher. Such positions require greater strength, and women in leadership are perceived and judged harshly because it is rare to find a woman in such shoes,” Ms Kasonde said.
One thing for sure is that women bring a new dimension to the leadership table and the more women there are in decision-making positions, the more equity and equality society is bound to have.
This is why she is prepared to bring equity and equality to both men and women without disadvantaging anyone based on sex.
Perhaps, her steady progression and rise through the ranks at LAZ are what has made her so enthusiastic about her job.
“I started out as an ordinary member and rose through to the ranks of convenor of committees then honorary secretary, vice-president and now president. So you can see that my rise has been a steady progression, it is not something I just jumped into,” she recalls.
What is more interesting and appealing about her rise to the presidency is that she had no woman role model to look up to as there has been none before her.
“My favourite motto is by Madeleine Albright, American’s first woman Secretary of State of the United States, which says there is plenty of room for mediocre men but there is no room for mediocre women, meaning society judges the performance of women in jobs, research fields and industries typically dominated by men as reflective of the entire female gender,” Ms Kasonde notes.
Her reaction to the announcement of her victory, she says, came as a surprise because it could have gone either way but she describes it as overwhelming, thrilling and a big achievement.
She said, “But somehow I knew that I was going to make it based on my track record and performance, the whole time I have been at LAZ. I am glad the people I worked with like my past president James Banda and immediate past president George Chisanga, really they mentored and supported me.”
According to International Bar Association, Ms Kasonde holds an LLB degree from the University of Leicester in England and Masters degree in Law from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an Office of the Women’s Interest Group Committee of the International Bar Association and convenor of the continuous professional development committee of LAZ.
Her passion for social activism and fight for human rights and justice draws as far back as her high school days in Swaziland in the 1990s where she was taught to do community service.
During her high school days, it was mandatory to do community service and she did it with so much joy, especially that she was also mentored by her parents to always be of service to others.
The daughter of late Joseph Kasonde and Doctor Dorothy Kasonde said she did a three-year programme in law in Mbabane, Swaziland, which earned her a first job at the National Legal Aid Clinic for Women under LAZ.
“At the clinic we would provide women with free legal services and I worked there for three years and that is when I joined Mulenga Mundashi law firm. I rose to becoming a partner at the age of 30 and a few years later, I was given the honour of being made full partner,” Ms Kasonde reminisces.
Having been raised to value herself to be anything she wanted and have a profession, she is elated that she has proved a good child to her parents and still practising what was instilled in her.
Apart from being a lawyer, social activist and women’s empowerment advocate, Ms Kaonde is also a director for Alchemy Women in Leadership.
It is the hope of everyone that as a woman, she should be a mentor to fellow lawyers, be a voice of the voiceless in society and help bring sanity and justice in our society.

Number of teens living with HIV/AIDS worries Prof Baboo

A LUSAKA-BASED professor of public health and tropical medicine, Kumar Baboo, is concerned about the continued rise in the number of young people living with HIV and AIDS.

Doctor Baboo cited young people as those aged between 12-19 years old and attributed their living with HIV and AIDS to unprotected and indiscriminate sex.

Making a presentation during the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) science café on the status of HIV/AIDS response in Zambia, Dr Baboo wondered why young people who are still in school are engaging in sex at a tender age.

ZAMCOM’s science café is sponsored by AVAC to accelerate the ethical development and global delivery of HIV prevention tools as part of a comprehensive and integrated response to the epidemic.

“What is expected of these young people is to focus on their studies instead of engaging in indiscriminate sexual behaviour. Actually the large uptake of condoms is among young people but they do not know how to use them; that is why often they end up being infected with HIV,” he said.

And Dr Baboo challenged young people to claim ownership over the voluntary medical male circumcision as it has potential to prevent over six million new HIV/AIDS infections.

“One male circumcision done prevents six new HIV/AIDS infections and cervical cancer in women. If we carry out more interventions, it means we are on the right track in our fight against HIV/AIDS,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Baboo noted that lack of uniformity in laws and policies in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequalities.

He said all institutions in the country have different views regarding GBV and gender inequalities resulting in failure to end the scourge.

“Equality is mandatory in most government institutions but when you go into the church, women are expected to be submissive and cannot take a leading role, so laws and policies are not uniform,” he said.

Adopt more women candidates – NGOCC

NON-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has implored President Lungu to challenge political parties to adopt a quota of 50 percent of women among candidates for political offices.

NGOCC board chairperson Sara Longwe noted that the quota of 50 percent will be according to Zambia’s commitment under the 2008 SADC Gender Protocol.

Speaking during a meeting with President Lungu, Ms Longwe called for the holding of the referendum separate from the general election to ensure approval and subsequent enactment of the expanded bill of rights.

“The Bill of Rights is critical to the well-being of women, youths, people with disability, elderly and poor and outlaws discrimination and introduces social, economic and cultural rights,” she said.

Ms Longwe further called for quick appointment and operationalisation of the Gender Equity and Equality Commission which will ensure that gender discrimination is eliminated.

“We call upon Your Excellency to take a keen interest into what is happening and support other locally initiated campaigns such as the Good Husband campaign, I Care About Her campaign, among others,” she said.

The women’s movement also raised concern over the high cost of living and especially with the recent price hike and shortage of mealie-meal in the country.

According to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR), the basic needs basket, the cost of a monthly food basket for a family of six, is about K4,300, which is beyond the reach of most families and is indicative of the prevalence of poverty and malnutrition.

GGAZ calls on more early marriages sensitisation

THE Girl Guides Association of Zambia (GGAZ) has observed that there is need for more sensitisation on early marriages in peri-urban areas because that is where the scourge is rampant.

GGAZ executive director Caroline Kafunya noted that girls in peri-urban areas are vulnerable to early marriages due to poverty and limited information on the scourge.

Mrs Kafunya was speaking at a sensitisation meeting on early marriages in Mtendere township under a project dubbed Youth Exchange from South to South (YESS).

The YESS campaign is being carried out in nine African countries by the YESS girls’ participants and member organisations in order to sensitise the community on the full potential of girls and women.

The meeting was attended by Zambia’s songstress and child rights activist Daputsa Nkhata, alias Sista D.

“Parents and girls in communities must realise that a girl child can also be modelled into a full grown adult with potential to be great and reach greater heights like a man,” Mrs Kafunya said.

Alice Mbewe (15), a grade nine pupil at New Mtendere Basic School, said indulging in early marriages is not healthy for girls.

She said girls her age who get pregnant face the risk of suffering from vaginal fistula which they can die from, because their bodies have not matured to handle child birth at an early age.

“My advice to my friends is that let us try by all means to stay in school and avoid engaging in relationships we are not ready for, otherwise we will end up in early marriages or getting pregnant,” she said.

And Lydia Nyika (17), a grade nine pupil at Mahatma Ghandi Basic School, reiterated calls for girls to forsake early pregnancies and marriages.

Lydia said getting pregnant whilst still living with one’s parents doesn’t show respect, a practice she described as being against the African culture.

Zim lawmaker hails PF-PINK

THE Patriotic Front’s newly-formed female wing dubbed ‘PF-PINK’ has been praised for its initiative to inspire young women to take up the mantle in leadership and politics.
PF-Pink was launched in June last year and is being pioneered by Petauke member of Parliament (MP) Dora Siliya and her Shiwang’andu counterpart Steven Kampyongo with the hope of inspiring young women.
Recently, PF-Pink held a one-day conference which drew participation from young women from different walks of life.
Speaking at the function, Minister in the Office of Zimbabwe’s Vice-President Tabetha Kanengoni Malinga praised the initiative and called for more participation of young women in politics.
Mrs Malinga, who is also Mazowe Central MP, said women who are already in politics should not close the door for young women but should leave it open for more to fill the vacuum.
She observed that women are born leaders because they are able to multi-task when compared to men.
“I am the youngest female minister and MP in my country and I aspire to see more of young women taking up the mantle of leadership both in decision-making and politics,” Mrs Malinga said.
She pledged to form such an initiative in Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) to allow for young women to join.
Speaking at the same event, South Africa’s former Minister of Communication Dina Pule commended the PF-Pink, describing it as a ladder for young women to climb on their way to leadership.
Ms Pule said leadership and politics must not only be for survival but must be a passion and servitude.
She said the initiative to have young women in politics is not meant to oust the older ones but to have about 50 percent of women in decision-making.
“Once our generation in politics is phased out, young women can easily take up the mantle and continue from where we will end,” Ms Pule said.
And Ms Siliya said if women are to be recognised in politics and leadership, they must first avail themselves and be ready.
Ms Siliya said the struggles women go through transcend party lines and that is why all women should support one another.

Women urged not to sell land

THE Parliamentary committee on land has said there can only be equal access to land by men and women when women stop selling land in their possession.
The committee, chaired by Kalomo Central member of Parliament Request Muntanga, observed that some women are frustrating the efforts of their counterparts who are fighting tirelessly to have more women access land.
Mr Muntanga said there must be accountability and transparency in the way women are selling land.
He said this when acting House of Chiefs representative Elina Phiri appeared before the committee to discuss access to land by women.
“If a study was to be conducted, you will discover that most women now have access to land but majority of them are selling it. And most of those who are buying this land from women are men, resulting in more men having more access to land,” Mr Muntanga said.
And Nalikwanda MP Geoffrey Lungwangwa said having more female chiefs in the country will contribute to increased access to land by women, especially in the rural areas.
Professor Lungwangwa said most tribes in Zambia are matrilineal and that is why women must ascend to the chieftainship.
“Most tribes in our country follow the matrilineal set-up and as such we must have more women ascending to the chieftainship; this will benefit a lot of women in return,” he said.
In response Ms Phiri said inasmuch as most tribes in the country are matrilineal, society still has the patriarchal system in place which has continued to disadvantage women.
Mrs Phiri said most women gain access to land through their sons, especially when one is married.
She also called for land acquired by women to be registered to avoid being grabbed in the future.

Lilian Walubita: Strong, lucky lady

SITEMBILE SIWAWA, Lusaka
ENGAGED and ready to walk down the aisle, the news that Lilian Walubita had been diagnosed with breast cancer could not easily sink in.
News that her breast was going to be removed made her develop goose pimples because she thought her fiancé Eric Walubita was going to leave her for some other woman.
“Being a woman, this news really devastated me because I thought my fiancé was going to leave me for another woman, but my God-given man never for a second haboured such intentions, it was all in my mind,” she recalls.
Lilian, 29 also recalls the number of nights she went to sleep with tears rolling down her cheeks with hope that maybe the results were altered and they were never hers.
She often faced the prospect of death but her then fiancé, Eric who is now her husband gave her hope to carry on and come to terms with reality.
All this started one morning when Lilian was getting dressed when she discovered lumps in her breast and not knowing what it was, she decided to ask her mother about it.
“Upon telling my mother, she advised me to seek medical attention at Konkola Mine Hospital (KMH) in Chililabomwe district,” she said.
Having being diagnosed after several biopsy tests at KMH, Lilian was referred to Lusaka’s Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) to commence treatment.
Determined and strong, her fiancé, family, friends and doctors encouraged her to soldier on because she was not the first one to have suffered from the disease and definitely will not be the last one.
The first treatment she underwent was a surgery, known as Lumpectomy. This surgical procedure is used to remove the cancerous tumour in the breast and some surrounding healthy tissue during the operation.
“I was ready to have my breast removed and the treatment was manageable, especially with the support I had from my fiancé, family and friends,” she recounted.
She then underwent chemotherapy treatment which involves the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells which work by stopping the cancer cells ability to grow and divide.
According to Lilian, chemotherapy was the toughest part of the treatment she had to go through.
She said “During that time, I lost most of my hair and my weight due to constant nausea. I would be given a dose every after three months and my fiancé would quickly take me back home in Chililabombwe. The reaction of the dose weakens one and needs constant care.”
With the loss of hair and weight, Lilian never gave up on her treatment but kept hoping that the whole episode would soon be over and she was going to get her old life back.
Lastly, she went through radiotherapy which is a treatment using radiation to destroy cancer cells. It is a common treatment for breast cancer after surgery.
With radiotherapy, Lilian recalls that it is a manageable treatment as well and she went through it with ease.
As the biblical passage puts it, joy comes in the morning; Lilian joyfully wedded two weeks later upon completing the cancer treatment.
Her biggest admiration in all this is her husband who helped in sharing the difficulties she encountered.
“Really, this man was sent from heaven by God to me and I cannot thank him enough for the love he showed me during that period,” she smiled with a flicker in her eyes.
The major lesson she learnt from all this is that women and girls must regularly check themselves to ascertain if they have lumps in their breasts that cause cancer.
“You need to have faith and belief that you will be able to recover from the disease. Yes doctors are there but they cannot do anything if your faith of getting better is weak,” she said.
Currently, Lilian mentors women and girls who are undergoing breast cancer treatment at the CDH.
Of course, she is human too and enjoys spending time with her husband during her spare time.
Apart from that, Lilian who is a staunch Jehovah Witness goes round evangelising the word of God and mentoring fellow women and girls.
Having participated in last month’s global breast cancer awareness, Zambian women have a duty to regularly have themselves checked for any possible cancer and sometimes self-examination is important.