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Chishala Kateka, leader of the New Heritage Party, has criticised the government for allegedly politicising the 2026 International Women’s Day celebrations and attempting to block the participation of opposition political parties.
Kateka claimed there were ongoing efforts to block or severely limit the participation of opposition political parties that are not aligned with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
In a letter addressed to women’s organisations, Kateka said that last year, women from the Patriotic Front (PF) participated in Women’s Day commemorations in large numbers across the country.
“This development appears to have greatly unsettled the ruling UPND, which in several instances found itself outnumbered during the celebrations,” Kateka stated.
Kateka alleged that in what appears to be a calculated move to prevent a repeat of last year’s situation—especially in an election year—the government had reportedly directed that participation of political parties in this year’s Women’s Day celebrations be subjected to clearance by District Commissioners.
She claimed that District Commissioners were not neutral public officials in practice but political appointees aligned with the ruling party.
“Under this new arrangement, any political party wishing to participate must first obtain clearance by submitting its certificate of registration, the details of its President and Secretary General, and national registration cards of those leading the participating group,” she said.
Kateka further criticised what she described as an arbitrary restriction limiting participation to between 25 and 50 individuals per political party.
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She argued that the requirements mirrored procedures normally demanded by the Electoral Commission of Zambia during elections.
“This bureaucratic gatekeeping is clearly designed to discourage and suppress the participation of women affiliated with opposition political parties,” Kateka said.
She emphasised that Women’s Day was meant to celebrate the achievements, dignity and rights of all women regardless of their political affiliation.
Kateka warned that the event should never be reduced to a partisan activity or monopolised by the ruling party for political advantage.
“The freedom of association and participation in public life are fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution, and they must be respected,” she said.
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