“When a woman wants to go to the field where does she leave her child? When a young mother wants to return to school, who will take care of her baby? The answer is the proposed community centres which will provide education, interaction, livelihood options and above all safety for our children.” We can send you press releases, speeches and pictures- kindly email: nowsparwomen@nowspar.com | Mrs. Ireen Kunda Second Lady of Zambia and Matilda Mwaba, Executive Director of NOWSPAR launched the 3rd International Women’s Sports Day under the theme “Women Play-Think- Change” in Lusaka, today during a Launch Ceremony at Mika Lodge in Lusaka, Zambia. Since 2008, the National Organisation for Women in Sport Physical Activity and Recreation (NOWSPAR) has hosted a Women’s Sports Day (IWSD) in the spirit of International Women’s Day. The Sports Day is an awareness, advocacy, networking and fundraising platform. The IWSD 2010 events include the 3rd Annual Women’s Sports Festival and the 1st Annual Women in Sport Dinner Gala. The Women’s Sports Day is this year being used to launch a fundraising campaign called “Put A Smile on My Face” to raise about K 500,000,000 per year towards establishment of Early Childhood Education and Care Centres in Serenje, Chisekesi and Chongwe in rural Zambia. During the launch, the Second Lady said she is aware of the challenges that girls and women face in accessing quality sports and recreation activities. And when they participate, the support they receive is limited. Yet sport is increasingly being used as a platform to address health, education, environment and other social development issues pertinent to our wellbeing. She affirmed that “… we must support the rights of women to play; we must recognize their role in development through sport and make changes in our way of life to secure this right.” She further highlighted the importance of early childhood education as children who have undergone early childhood education have a higher chance of adapting and performing well in school and completing their education. Ms. Matilda Mwaba, Executive Director said NOWPSAR is “… not only committed to the promotion of women’s right to recreation and sport but also through sport to facilitate the social and economic development of women in our communities.” Speaking at the event Campaign Corporate Partner Mad Max Marketing Manager Maboshe Nyambe called on the corporate sector to join in the campign as “… the cause that NOWSPAR has embarked on is a noble one which deserves support of all stakeholders as the issues being addressed through provision of children’s learning and recreation centers is important. We hear of defilement and molestation all the time due to lack of such facilities in the rural areas.” NOWSPAR General Secretary Ms. Lombe Mwambwa made a presentation linking the International Women’s Day, the International Women’s Sports Day and the 5th International Conference on Women and Sport. The Second Lady was accompanied by members of the Ministers Spouses Sports Initiative- spouse of Minister of Sport – Mrs. Stella Chipungu, spouse of Community Development Deputy Minister- Mrs. Malwa and Mrs. Lisa Taima spouse of Minister of Energy and Water Resources. The launch was attended by Ministry of Sport Gender Focal Person, NOWSPAR’s strategic partners: corporate institutions, NOWSPAR Chapters, Kicking AIDS Out Network and Sport For Social Change Network members in Zambia who have partnered with NOWSPAR to deliver this years’ Women’s Sports Day. On 6th March NOWSPAR will join the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day by hosting the 3rd Annual Women’s Sports Day in honor of women in sport and their struggle towards gender equality in sport. Learn more. |