By MILDRED KATONGO –
THE Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has urged politicians to focus their debates on national issues and not on personal attacks, which do add value to Zambia’s development.
ZNWL chairperson Beauty Katebe said the women’s movement was saddened with the profane language being attributed to politicians in Zambia.
Ms Katebe said in a statement yesterday that as the general elections in 2016 drew closer, it was important that politicians exercised self-restraint and campaigned for votes in a manner that was dignified.
She said politicians should avoid offensive language and base their focus on issues that would help the country to develop.
Ms Katebe said while Zambians realised the need for freedom of speech and tolerance of divergent views, this could be achieved without the use of offensive language in the political arena.
“ZNWL is saddened by the offensive language that the politicians are using. In as much as we realise the need for freedom of speech and tolerance, we feel this can be achieved without the use of offensive language. As the 2016 elections approach, we urge politicians to exercise self-restraint and campaign for votes in a dignified manner,” she said.
Ms Katebe also appealed to well-meaning political party leaders to encourage their members to set a good example by desisting from slander, political intimidation and violence.
