• VICE-President Inonge Wina (centre) confers with Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe while visiting Chairperson of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress of China, Zhang Dejiang (left) looks on during a site visit of the Zambia and China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Lusaka East yesterday. Picture by CHILA NAMAIKO

By MELBOURNE MUSHITU –
VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina has assured the Swedish and Norwegian members of Parliament (MPs) that Government has put in place measures to curb violence among the youth to ensure a peaceful environment before and after the August general elections.
Ms Wina said the Government was committed to ensuring that every young person in the country had information on how to abide by the laws.
She was responding to a question by the Swedish Parliament deputy speaker Esabelle Diangizian, during a courtesy call on her by Swedish and Norwegian parliamentary delegations in Lusaka yesterday.
“Government will not continue to tolerate petty confrontations. As Government, we will do everything possible to ensure that youths are controlled. We are a peaceful nation and peace must prevail,” she said.
Ms Wina said the Government would also dialogue with youths regarding the military regalia some political cadres were fond of wearing.
She said the Government was aware that some young people were using fake military uniforms to frighten the public and make orders that caused violence.
Responding to a question on challenges before and during the elections, Ms Wina said Zambia should address the funding challenges because some money had been channelled to provide food for areas that were reported starving and to mitigate the energy deficit.
She said the country had experienced a drought which caused hunger in a number of districts.
Ms Wina also said that low water levels in Lake Kariba had resulted in low hydropower generation.
She said the Government had put in measures to ensure that there was gender equality in the country.
Ms Wina said women enjoyed participating in national issues when they enjoyed their rights.
Ms Diangizian said Zambia had strong women who were eager to participate in national matters.
She said there was need to come up with ways to get rid of the discrimination of women participating in national affairs.
“There is need to come up with an action plan to ensure that there is gender equity and equality in Zambia. Women should take part in national matters,” Ms Diangizian said.