INFORMATION and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga, has praised the World Association of Newspapers and other stakeholders for coming up with the Women In News programme (WIN) to equip female newspaper professionals in Zambia.

Mr Malupenga said the programme was aimed at equipping high potential female newspaper professionals in Zambia, Botswana and Namibia with skills, strategies and confidence to progress to higher managerial positions.

The Permanent Secretary made the observation on Saturday evening when he officiated at the Women In News Summit cocktail at Grand Palace Hotel in Lusaka.

Mr Malupenga said that it was pleasing to note that the programme has had significant impact with regard to the majority of participants reporting an overall increase in self- confidence, motivation to succeed and a renewed passion for their profession.

He told the participants that in Zambia, in particular, all women who had taken part in the programme had risen in ranks at their respective media establishments, a thing which he said Government was pleased with.

Mr Malupenga expressed happiness that Government under the leadership of President Michael Sata, had placed high premium on gender parity in the country.

World Editors Forum executive director, Cherilyn Reton, urged all the women in the newspaper industry to learn to put up the best of their ability in order to excel.

Ms Reton said the newspaper industry could be cyclical and challenging, adding that it needed a constant struggle for one to achieve the intended goals.

She said it was only through hard work and dedicated commitment that one could be able to prosper in the market industry of newspaper organisations.

ZANIS