Zambia: WOMAN APPOINTED AS Zambia's AMBASSADOR TO THE OAU
Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, President of the Federation of African Women's Peace Networks, whose creation UNIFEM facilitated and continues to support, was recently appointed Zambia's Special Envoy and Ambassador to the Organization for African Unity (OAU). Dr. Lewanika, also the President of Zambia's opposition party, 'Agenda for Zambia,' was sworn in at the State House in Lusaka on 22 March by Zambian President Mwanawasa. The President said that, "women had not been given a fair share of national responsibilities in Zambia," and that he was “convinced Dr. Lewanika would carry out her responsibilities adequately and effectively."
7. WOMAN APPOINTED AS ZAMBIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE OAU
Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, President of the Federation of African Women's Peace Networks, whose creation UNIFEM facilitated and continues to support, was recently appointed Zambia's Special Envoy and Ambassador to the Organization for African Unity (OAU). Dr. Lewanika, also the President of Zambia's opposition party, 'Agenda for Zambia,' was sworn in at the State House in Lusaka on 22 March by Zambian President Mwanawasa. The President said that, "women had not been given a fair share of national responsibilities in Zambia," and that he was “convinced Dr. Lewanika would carry out her responsibilities adequately and effectively."
Dr. Lewanika’s appointment is encouraging for all the African women who have been struggling for so long to be seen and recognized. She has written extensively on the subject of women in decision-making, including UNIFEM's report on "Transformative Leadership and Strengthening the Political Constituency of Women in Africa (1999)."
For more information, contact Laketch Dirasse, Chief, Africa Section, UNIFEM, at [email protected].