Women challenged to take up leadership positions

THE Lions Club International has challenged women to take up leadership positions both in the public and private sectors for them to be able to transform lives in their communities.

The Lions Club was formed in 1917 in Chicago by an insurance company businessman Mr Melvin Jones who engaged his friends and they resolved to use their local businesses to change their communities for the better.

It has more than 1,4 million worldwide and it serves more than 250 million people.

The Lions Club International celebrated 100 years of existence in 2017 by launching a special centennial service challenge to raise US$300 million to increase the service impact of lions around the world.

By 2022, the club had completed the largest fundraising campaign in the organisation’s history raising more than US$325 million and exceeding its target.

Zimbabwe is a member and is in the same district as Botswana.

On Saturday, the club held a family and women symposium in Victoria Falls under the theme: “Family Unit is the Power for Change.”

Community leaders including Mrs Virginia Makanza, Reverend Travina Chichoni, Apostle Phillip Jonathan and Dr Louise Madungwe, were the speakers for the day.

Dr Madungwe who was the guest of honour implored women to take up leadership positions and unite their families.

During the symposium, participants discussed issues that affected families and women and they also deliberated on strategies to resolve them.

It was sponsored by the Lions Club International with the hope of inspiring women and families to join the organisation which happens to be the largest service organisation in the world.

“Together when we join our hands we can impact the lives of the less fortunate members of our society and make the world a better place,” said Dr Madungwe.

The Lions Club’s mandate is to serve the disadvantaged and those in need.

There are 48 000 clubs in 200 countries with Dr Part Hill from Canada as the international president.

The Lions Club also works with various world organisations to address challenges facing the world such as hunger, environmental changes, childhood cancer and diabetes among others.

“Great women change communities. The community should respect and improve women and share equal opportunities with them.

“As the Lions Club, we seek to improve women so that they save their communities and close gaps in generation-to-generation, working and family life,” said Dr Madungwe.