Dr Manda’s statement epitomizes the entrenched gender prejudices against
women and the patriarchal nature of our society. It is totally unacceptable
for Dr. Manda to say Zambian women had lost their cultural values
because of the misconduct of a few. Just like some men, there are women
who misbehave in public. For example, should all men be condemned just
because of the few grandfathers and fathers who defile babies?
It will be unfair for anyone to suggest that men had lost their values just
because of the many men we see every day in bars and on the streets
drinking alcohol. Society’s moral decay should not only be made
dependent upon the conduct of women. Issues of moral decay need to
address both men and women.
While NGOCC does not support immoral conduct by either women or men,
it is wrong to suggest that there is too much careless drinking among
women in Zambia, especially in the absence of any credible baseline. We
would like to remind Dr Manda that both men and women are equal and
enjoy equal rights.
It is strange that Dr. Manda wants to ascribe the responsibility of parenting
to women only to the exclusion of men. It is the responsibility of both men
and women to take care of their children.
The Zambian women demand an
apology from Dr Manda over his imprudent statement.
Zambia has well respected women who are role models and it is
unacceptable to denigrate all Zambian women in such a manner.
NGOCC
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