PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
LUSAKA – As MISA Zambia remembers this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), we wish to emphasize the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women in the media and newsrooms. This year’s Women’s Day is commemorated under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”.
International Women’s Day is a day that has been set aside by the United Nations to celebrate the role that women play in society and their efforts in addressing inequalities in society.
MISA Zambia urges citizens and leaders on the need to reflect on the importance of gender equality and the need for women’s empowerment to contribute to national development. Women play a key role in our societies both at the household level and in leadership positions. Investing in women gives them a voice to express themselves, be heard, and contribute to the growth of the various sectors they represent. In the media circles, this voice means equal participation from both men and women highlighting the inequalities in the newsrooms that need to be addressed.
MISA Zambia also reiterates its position on the need for media houses to develop and popularize Gender-based violence policies to protect women in the newsroom while encouraging them to take up leadership roles in media houses. This can be made possible by collaborative efforts from all relevant stakeholders to strengthen protection mechanisms for women while striving to promote equal participation for both men and women to thrive.
Issued by
MISA ZAMBIA
Lorraine Mwanza Chisanga
Chairperson
