STORY: Investing in women is a profound call to action: Zambian VP
SHOOTING TIME: March 8, 2024
DATELINE: March 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:18
LOCATION: Lusaka 
CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the event
2. SOUNDBITE: 1 (English) MUTALE NALUMANGO, Zambian Vice President
3. various of the event
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALICE SAILI, Senior National Program Officer of UNESCO

STORYLINE:

Zambia on Friday joined the rest of the world in commemorating International Women's Day, with Vice President Mutale Nalumango saying investing in women was a profound call to action.

Held under the theme, "Investing in Women and Girls: Accelerate Progress," the event saw women in different parts of the country converging to commemorate the day. President Hakainde Hichilema attended the main event held in the southern city of Livingstone while Vice President Mutale Nalumango graced the event in Lusaka, the country's capital.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MUTALE NALUMANGO, Zambian Vice President
"The theme focuses on the cardinal role that investing in Women and girls enhances national development. It recognizes the achievements and contribution that women make in society. It also serves as a global platform to advocate for women's right and highlights the social, economic, cultural and political challenges that women and girls face. Ladies and gentlemen, development cannot be effective and complete in an environment where women and girls are deprived of their rights. Therefore, on this International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to the calls of gender equality. Let us pledge to invest in women and girls in every aspect of our lives, in our families, communities and work places."

Alice Saili, a senior National Program Officer of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said the theme for this year's commemoration was a reminder that investing in women was vital for achieving gender equality.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALICE SAILI, Senior National Program Officer of UNESCO 
"This International Women's Day, is a call for us to enhance public and private investment in programs to end violence against women, ensure decent work and drive women's inclusion and leadership in digital technologies. We also want to ensure that we promote programs to involve women in peace building, climate action and across all sectors of the economy."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lusaka.
(XHTV)