Don’t neglect women prisoners, Chanda tells govt
By Thandizo Banda
OPPOSITION United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) president Charles Chanda has expressed concern over the neglect of incarcerated women and girls, especially in rural communities of the country.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chanda called for urgent action to address the difficult and degrading conditions faced by the affected women.
He urged the government to ensure that the needs of women in correctional facilities and those in rural areas were not overlooked during the commemoration of International Women’s Day.
“l am calling on authorities to provide basic necessities like sanitary towels to women who are convicted and those in rural communities,” he said.
Chanda said while the country celebrated the achievements of women, it must not ignore those in prison.
”On this day, we ask the government to look at the situation of women in our prisons. These women still have basic needs. They need sanitary towels. They need soap. They need dignity, even in their current situation,” Chanda said.
He said being in prison did not change a woman’s biological needs.
”We must remember that nature cannot be imprisoned nor regarded as rural. A woman will always be a woman, whether in prison or in a village and still goes through the same monthly cycle as a woman. We cannot punish them twice by denying them basic hygiene products,” he said.
Chanda urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security to ensure that female inmates had access to proper sanitation and healthcare.
”Many of these women are mothers. Some are on remand and have not even been found guilty of any crime. We are calling for compassion,” he said.
