CHITANGALA CALLS ON WOMEN TO CONTEST IN 2026 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Lusaka Mayor, Chilando Chitangala has called on women to take up leadership and contest in the 2026 general elections in order to have a country where the women’s voices are heard and shape national identity.

Speaking during the national networking event for female civic leaders, Lusaka Mayor, Chilando Chitangala says that women are architects of change, who are responsible for building a future of inclusive governance that inspires young people.

“Leadership is not about titles, it is about impact, it is about leaving a legacy that echoes beyond our tenure,” she said.

ZANIS reports that Ms Chitangala urged the women to utilise the networking event to empower, inspire and equip themselves to drive meaningful change in their communities.

And Canadian High Commission, Head of Office, Corry Van Gaal said that women prioritise education, health, and social protection that bring empathy, collaboration, and a deep sense of responsibility to governance.

“In Parliament, women hold 14.9% of seats, these numbers are not just statistics, they represent voices missing from the table, decisions made without the full perspective of society, and opportunities lost for progress,” she said.

Ms Gaal added that her country is proud to partner with Zambia in supporting women in politics, through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), that focuses on gender equality and inclusive local governance.

The engagement was organised under the Partnerships for Municipal Innovation—Women in Local Leadership project (PMI-WILL) through the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ).