Economic Empowerment
Source: Zambia Daily Mail International Labour Organisation (ILO) assistant director-general and regional director for Africa, Aeneas Chuma, has urged countries to tap into women's tremendous potential as economic forces.
Mr Chuma told journalists on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka yesterday that countries can only develop if they involve women in their development agendas.
"It is also clear that unless women are brought into the formal employment, their work is valued and recognised and are paid for the work they do, countries will generally not develop," he said
Mr Chuma is in Zambia to officially open the National Women Economic Empowerment Jubilee Expo in Lusaka tomorrow.
He was received by Ministry of Gender and Child Development permanent secretary Daisy N'gambi.
And Ms N'gambi said it is exciting that problems Zambian women entrepreneurs are facing are being noted both locally and internationally.
"We want to include women in all aspects of development and ensure that their full potential is fully utilised," Ms N'gambi
The theme for the conference is: 'Women as change agents for national development and prosperity'.
The conference precedes the African Women Economic Summit (AWES) which starts on Thursday.
During his mission to Zambia , Mr Chuma will also pay courtesy calls and have consultations with the ILO's tripartite constituents and development partners such as the Minister of Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda, the Minister of Gender and Child Development Inonge Wina, Secretary to Cabinet Roland Msiska and Bank of Zambia governor Michael Gondwe,
Over 200 women entrepreneurs, mostly from rural areas are gathered at Mulungushi International Conference Centre to undergo training on value addition and business management and will showcase different items from the 10 provinces of Zambia.