Talatona – Angola’s First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço highlighted the progress that the country has been achieving in the field of gender equality, during her statement at a Workshop held Thursday in Luanda.
Speaking at the lecture of the 1st National Workshop 'Woman leader in Local Governance' with the theme 'Women in Economic and Social Development', Ana Dias Lourenço said that, at current levels, female empowerment in local governance already represents a victory.
She highlighted that the presence of women in spheres of local power is an inalienable right and a catalyst for the country's progress and sustainable development.
As more women occupy public leadership positions, according to Ana Dias Lourenço, we are witnessing a real change in the way social, economic and environmental issues are addressed.
This, she said, is because they demonstrate more effective communication skills, greater empathy and a collaborative approach to solving problems, which represent tangible benefits to their way of leading.
“We have lived for too long with a reality in which women were relegated to the margins of political power, seeing their voices silenced and their contributions underestimated,” she said.
He added that, “as societies, particularly African ones, have evolved towards greater justice and inclusion, they have become more aware of the need for greater female representation in all areas of social, economic and political life, in companies, civil society organizations and central and local representation and governance bodies of the State”.
She argued that there has been in the country, in recent years, “a very positive evolution in the number of women in the different State representation bodies, which is a reflection of the socio-political and legislative changes that have been implemented over the last few years”.
For the First Lady, the presence of a woman as vice-president of the Republic and another as president of the National Assembly is a significant milestone in this effort and represents progress in the fight for gender equality, in politics and governance.
She highlighted the growing participation of women in different State bodies, with the presence of a State minister, eight ministers, five governors and 50 women as municipal administrators.
Despite the representativeness, the First Lady considers assuming these positions as a great challenge and a great responsibility.
However, she highlighted the importance of continuing to invest in people, through quality education, as well as increasing access to pre-school and secondary education, especially for girls.
He mentioned that there are other obstacles that make it difficult and prevent many women in Angola and throughout Africa from developing their full potential, such as the lack of human and material resources in some communities and the different forms of violence and abuse against women, as well as such as limited access to education.
She argues that by training women to perform management and leadership roles, in addition to promoting a more equitable society, we are also strengthening communities from the point of view of their identity autonomy and sustainable and inclusive development.
Hence, she considers it imperative to recognize and value the role of female leadership in local bodies.
The promotion of the Women Leader in Local Governance Workshop” is part of the annual activity plan of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, in accordance with the assumptions of the National Development Plan 2023-2027 of the Angolan Executive.
Women from all walks of life from the 18 provinces of the country and from abroad participated in the 1st National Workshop on Women Leaders in Local Governance. MAG/SC/DOJ
