Zambia appoints the youngest and the first ever woman Inspector General of police

While still fresh in her appointment as deputy Inspector General of Police, 39 years old Stella Libongani was on 15 February elevated to the top most position of Inspector General of police replacing Dr Martin Malama who has since been redeployed elsewhere.

Libongani described the latest appointment as shocking as it came at a time when she least expected it. She is the youngest and the first ever woman Inspector General of police in the history of Zambia in an unprecedented move.

This is in line with key provisions of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which calls on States to take appropriate measures to ensure women are equally represented in decision making positions in all sectors.

Her appointment is also a sign of Government’s goodwill to elevate more women to higher positions so that they be accorded a chance to serve in influential positions previously held by men.

Zambia, like many countries in the Southern African region, has not traditionally encouraged women to take a place in areas of decision-making. This has largely been attributed to traditional stereotypes which had resulted in fewer educational qualifications as well as the socialised perception of men and women about women’s role being in the private, rather than public domain.

Police service duties due to their strenuous military nature were previously perceived by many to be a male dominated discipline, not until lately when we have started seeing more women being recruited into the service to be equal to the task.

On October 3 2011, soft-spoken Libongani publicly took oath before God and men after she was appointed the first ever female Deputy Inspector General of the Police.This marked a milestone achievement in the history books of the police service where women were getting closer to the corridors of power in the police command.

No doubt, that President Sata has seen something in her, which is why he has seen it prudent to elevate her further as the new and first ever female inspector general in the history of Zambia,

Memories are still fresh when Ms Libongani took oath late last year pledging allegiance to the Republic of Zambia which is also in line with the Zambia Police service mission statement of “We the Zambia Police are committed to providing a high quality service by up-holding and applying the law fairly and firmly to all”.

Indeed, the decision by President Sata to raise the profile of the women in the country by breaking the barrier and appointing Mrs Libongani as the first ever Inspector General is a welcome move and has renewed hope and confidence among the women folk.