Chimwendo calls for respect in Parliament
Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda on Friday cautioned female parliamentarians against provoking male colleagues and expecting to be left unchallenged because of their gender.
He said that while every woman in the House deserves respect, men equally deserve the same.
Chimwendo Banda’s remarks followed a verbal commotion between Machinga East legislator Esther Jolobala (United Democratic Front- UDF) and other members of Parliament (MPs) from the government side.
The incident prompted Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza to condemn some male MPs for uttering negative comments when women MPs’ make contributions.
She said: “Let me register my disappointment because of the comments that from our male colleagues. I think we can do better. If the honourable colleague wants to contribute, there is nothing that hinders her from speaking in this House. It is better to respect one another and we can do better.”
C h imw e n d o B a n d a condemned the undermining of women in the House, but added that women should not take advantage of their gender to attack men.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo also stressed the importance of self-respect for peaceful coexistence. He mentioned Lilian Patel (UDF) of Mangochi South, Mary Mpanga (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP) of Phalombe South and Zomba Thondwe lawmaker Roseby Gadama (DPP) as some of the respectable female parliamentarians in the House.
