Impact Relay report – women in politics/Zambia

The “Ambition In Politics” Expert Panelists:

Saboi Imboela – Chairperson of the Permanent Zambia Women in Politics Platform, an initiative of the Zambia National Women’s Lobby. The platform brings together women from various parties in the country with a mandate to unite women across party lines and advocate for increased participation of women in all parties using one united voice of the platform members. Saboi is a Political Scientist by profession. She holds a Political Science Degree from the University of Zambia and a Masters in International Law and Politics from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Musola Cathrine Kaseketi – Zambian’s first female filmmaker, a Director and human rights activist. She is the Executive Director of Vilole Images Productions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to pursuing a focused vision of defending and promoting human rights, contributing to changing lives, and, through the power of film as a tool, provoking debate and bringing hope to the hopeless. Musola is the founder of Zambia’s first international film festival and Women & Girls with Disability Rights of Zambia. Through WGDRZ, Musola is passionate to see an inclusive friendly society where women and girls with disabilities are empowered, have equal opportunities and participate fully in social, cultural, economic, community and political development.

Musola studied filmmaking in SA at Newtown Film and Television School, Human Rights Advocacy at the Institute of Human Rights Study, Columbia University in New York and Human Rights and Cinema at the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratization in Venice.

Engwase Mwale – Executive Director, Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC). An advocate for gender equality and equity in Zambia, Engwase focuses on community mobilisation in both rural and urban settings. This work has contributed to her engagement with women of diverse backgrounds, especially having undergone training in advocacy and citizen engagement, gender and development, and community reporting for impact.

Ashley Maria – a director and writer located in Los Angeles, CA. The founder of Ashley Maria Productions, she is the recipient of the prestigious Directors Guild of America award, and is best known for her films and media work, including the comedy & horror shorts — Friday Night Fright and Volcano Girl, and her 2020 breakthrough production Pioneers in Skirts. She received her Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Ashley is also an advocate for advancing women’s opportunities. She is a North American delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women – the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women. When not on set, Ashley is a directing instructor at UCLA’s Film School and a sound instructor at the American Film Institute’s Young Women in Film program.

Moderator

Rose Zulu Lowa – the Livingstone satellite Coordinator for the Women’s entrepreneurship Access Center (WEAC). Rose believes that film has the power to influence and create social change and envisages to use this powerful tool with a combination of all her passions, experiences and skills to make a difference. She is convinced that she will make a significant contribution in raising awareness on the Laws in Zambia through sharing these untold true Zambian crime stories. Her outstanding public speaking has led Rose to hosting numerous events with reputable establishments such as Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Christian Voice, Radio Phoenix, Vilole Images Productions and Multi Choice Talent Factory.