ZAMBIAN women are caring by nature, they are mothers to everyone, regardless of the biological connections.
If recent media reports that more Zambian males were depending on females are anything to go by, women deserve praise.
For the women to continue their supportive roles, there is need for them to be empowered in various business aspects. 
Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina, who yesterday saluted Zambian women for their resilience in pursuit of a better Zambia was, therefore, spot on.
The minister stated that despite the challenges women faced, they have continued to contribute immensely to Zambia’s economic development.
Ms Wina cited the mining and agricultural sectors otherwise dominated by men as some in which women equally participated.
 It is a fact that despite the many hardships they endured in the so-called man’s world, Zambian women have continued to participate across all sectors throughout the years.
Apart from them working in offices, schools and hospitals, Zambian women go beyond limits to trade in various goods and services to supplement their efforts. 
It is a good move for Government to declare that they will continue to employ strategies to create a vibrant business environment that will open business opportunities for both women and men.
The ongoing National Women Economic Empowerment Jubilee Expo in Lusaka that has attracted women from all the 10 provinces of Zambia is, therefore, timely.
By empowering women, Government would not only be building stronger economies but confirming that the world acknowledges that investment in women is simply smart economics.
The Expo is timely because it provides women a platform for engagement for policy makers, regulators, cooperating partners, implementing institutions, financial and lending institutions.
We wish our womenfolk a fruitful meeting that will address challenges and opportunities for accelerating their financial base.