AS the country celebrates 50 years of its independence this year, there is need to recognise women, for their achievements and contributions made not only towards the attainment of independence but the development of the country.
Indeed, the call by Gender Minister Inonge Wina for the need to reflect and acknowledge the immense contributions that women of this country have made towards the attainment of independence is indeed a step in the right direction.
As Ms Wina states, there is need to correct the notion that freedom fighters were exclusively men.
It is only correct to state that a number of women were also freedom fighters in their own right.
Therefore, as Ms Wina states, there is need for the country’s history to be documented properly so that the contributions of women in the struggle for freedom are explicitly outlined.
Without doubt, a number of women have in a number of ways contributed to the attainment of independence in their own right, yet their achievements and contributions have been over shadowed.
To this end, the story of women in the liberation struggle should indeed not be ignored.
Let’s take for example, the role Mama Betty Kaunda played in the Independence of this country.
This is the women who held the Kaunda family together at the time when Zambian’s Icon in the name of Dr Kenneth Kaunda was out fighting colonialists to attain independence.
True to this, Dr Kaunda himself in his tribute to his wife, stated that Mama Betty indeed looked after their family very well, while he was in prison and when he was away to mobilize the party in the northern region of Zambia for a long time before independence.
In fact, Dr Kaunda further described Mama Betty as a hardworking woman who, apart from providing for the family during hard times, also protected the family.
Admittedly, Mama Betty truly did not only hold the family together but provided moral support to our great Icon KK.
Mama Betty without doubt through out the struggle for independence, was Dr Kaunda’s support system.
It is clear therefore that Mama Betty Kaunda played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle for independence in her own right.
And, so there is need to categorically recognise the achievements and contributions that Mama Betty Kaunda has made.
It is equally important to also salute many other women who equally played the same roles as Mama Betty Kaunda in support of their husbands during the struggle for independence.
Agreeably, there is need to salute these women many of whom of course may not be identified.
To this end, it is only correct that the country’s history needs to be documented properly so that the contributions of women in the struggle for freedom are explicitly outlined.
However, it is also important to recognise the achievements and contributions that a number of women in Zambia are still making towards the social and economic development of the country.
Admittedly, as the country celebrates 50 years of independence there is really need to recognise the achievements and contributions that women have continued to make.
Among the notable women that continue to make significant contributions include the First Lady Christine Kaseba who has made immense contributions to the Social and Economic development of this country.

. Kaseba (left), Libongani (right)

The Inspector General of police Stella Libongani and Rosewin Wandi at the helm of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) are among the women also making significant contributions including the likes of Anna Chifungula, the Auditor General.
However it must be noted that many other women who have not been mentioned have also made great contributions.
It is in this regard, that there is need to recognise them along side men as we celebrate this year’s independence Golden jubilee.
On the other hand, it is high time that women start supporting each other across the spectrum.
Women, to some extent it has been urged have not been supportive to one another. Surely, working as one force will lead to women reaching greater heights.
Appreciating and supporting one another, will lead to women reaching even greater heights.
Indeed, as we commemorate 50 years of independence for continued peace, unity, democracy, patriotism and prosperity may the Zambian women also graduate into a united force.
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