Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 8th April, 2025.
Kafue, Lusaka Province, Zambia.
A transformative chapter in the advancement of gender equality unfolded on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, as the Geoffrey Mukuma Training School at Sondela in Kafue hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for a new daycare centre and dedicated women’s accommodation — a project designed to dismantle barriers limiting women’s active participation in peace support operations.
The ceremony was officiated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Mr. Dickson Matemba, who underscored the government’s resolve to foster an inclusive environment within the security sector.
Speaking at the event, Gender Division Permanent Secretary, Ms. Mainga Kabika, commended the Ministry’s commitment to gender mainstreaming, highlighting that the facility’s design consciously integrates the specific needs of women.
“This infrastructure is a testament to our resolve to ensure that gender considerations are not an afterthought but a fundamental part of our development agenda,” Ms. Kabika affirmed. “By addressing practical needs such as childcare and suitable accommodation, we are empowering more women to take their rightful place in peacekeeping roles.”
The establishment of these facilities marks a critical milestone in the broader push to advance women’s empowerment and close the gender gap within traditionally male-dominated fields such as defence and internal security.
Ms. Kabika further noted that the Gender Division remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate an environment where women can thrive, reinforcing the government’s overarching goal of building an inclusive and equitable society.
The project is poised to not only support the operational readiness of female personnel but also inspire a new generation of women leaders in peace support initiatives, paving the way for a more balanced and representative security framework.
The Agency.