Zambia – Chilanga District Council

Chilanga district is located in the western and southern part of Lusaka central business. The district has a total population of 107,051 at national census with 53,863 being male and 53,188 being female.

The Council has so far got a draft Action Plan on Gender and this was done in collaboration with all stakeholders in the District. The Action plan has incorporated the Post 2015 SADC Gender Protocol and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The council has ten councillors, eight males and two females. With the election of new councillors, the Council has also appointed a Gender Champion.

The mayor of the council and its deputy are both women. The council has four committees, but none of those are being chaired by a female. The council has no junior council.

The public is involved in the commencement of environmental projects as well and their input is received through public hearings which are held at public places and open to the public. Before commencement of any project the community is engaged to give their views on the matters concerning them. This was done during a stakeholders meeting held before the construction of Twatasha market.

A total workforce of 48% men, 22% women, and 30% youth has been employed within the council. The council has six women in the management. The secretary, chairperson and planning officer are all women. Women’s participation is taken into note, and they also partake in public consultations.

There are provisions for maternity leave and paternity leave. The council also offers flexi time to the employees who are studying and require a study break. There is no policy against sexual harassment within the council. The council has not recorded a sexual harassment case as yet. However, matters of sexual harassment are dealt with through the code of ethics and the local government conditions of service. A disciplinary hearing is held and the matter is dealt with in line with the conditions of service. The council is disability-friendly. There are sliding doors and toilets for people using wheelchairs.

The council has alloacated budget from 2015 and 2016 to support gender related projects.

The Council has a local economic development plan that targets women, PWD, and youth entrepreneurs as key beneficiaries. This includes the promotion of access to financial opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Two market places have been designed which are Katandabale and Twatasha market. About 86% of the stands are allocated to women, youth and PWD. In Twatasha, 40 stalls are allocated to women and 2 to men, and in Katandabale 30 stalls are allocated to women, 4 to men. It is a matter of who comes first gets first preference during applications.

The council uses the National Policy on environment and the Zambia environmental management agency policies. Women, men, PWDs and the youth are integrated through the keep Chilanga clean and green committees, as part of climate change combating campaign.