Vice President Inonge Wina has urged the African Union (AU) to ensure that the gender equality criteria are included in the African Peer Review Mechanism in order for governments to adhere to commitments made during conferences.
Speaking at a high level breakfast at the ongoing 30th AU heads of states Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday, Ms Wina said it was important that commitments made by governments on gender equality were binding.
Ms Wina who is Zambia's first female vice-president urged African governments to appoint women in decision making positions to enable them contribute fully to their country's economic development.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia Ing'utu Mwanza.
"I can guarantee that if more women were in decision making positions, Africa would be a better place to live in," Ms Wina said.
She called for the inclusion of more women in the Arbitration Committee in order to enable them take part in efforts to end conflicts in Africa.
Ms Wina urged governments to entrench affirmative actions in their policies to allow for more representation of women in politics.
She said in many African states, it was difficult for women to be retained in politics.
Speaking earlier, South African president Jacob Zuma acknowledged the need for African governments to appoint more women in decision making positions.
He said his government was focused on ensuring that women also participated fully in national development.
Ghanaian President Akufo Addo, who is also AU champion on gender said it was time that African countries affirmed their commitment in ensuring that women were given adequate opportunities to participate in their country's economic developments.
And UN Secretary General Antonio Guterees called for political will among African countries in order to reduce the gap between women and men in decision making.
He said Africa was not short of competent women to fill in decision making positions.