ZCTU’s Dr. Joy Beene keenly empowering women, youth leaders

By Derrick Sinjela 

Officiating at a Friday 6th March 2026 Grand Palace Hotel Women and Youth Leadership Training Workshop on Thabo Mbeki Road Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Secretary General Dr. Joy Beene extolled participants for demonstrating a strong commitment to strengthening the trade union movement in Zambia.

From the outset, Dr. Beene commended the organizers, all the ZCTU affiliates, delegated representatives for participating in what he termed as a strategic investment in the future leadership of the labour movement.
Pegging the gathering as seeking to promote leadership development and strengthening the participation of women and young workers, Dr. Beene restated ZCTU’s desire for a strong labour movement built on inclusivity, representative, and forward-looking.

“ZCTU is creating space for every worker, men, women, and young people, to actively participate in shaping the direction of our unions and the future of work in Zambia. This is why ZCTU attaches great importance to this training. Leadership does not emerge by accident. Leadership is built through knowledge, organization, and commitment to the principles of solidarity and justice. Therefore, this workshop must be seen as part of a deliberate effort to build a new generation of trade union leaders capable of defending workers’ rights and advancing the interests of working people,” implored Dr. Beene.
Making reference to the International Women’s Day (IWD) on Sunday, 8th March, 2026 being celebrated on the theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls; and Youth Day under the theme: “Voices Amplified and Innovations Ignited for a Sustainable Future”, Dr. Beene reiterated the importance of mentorship as a cornerstone.

This IWD theme reminds us that the rights of women are not privileges to be negotiated or delayed. They are fundamental human and labour rights that must be respected in every workplace and every society.
These two commemorations remind us of one important truth: the future of our labour movement depends on how effectively we empower women and young workers today,” noted Dr. Beene.
However, Dr. Beene told his comrades that women and young workers continue to face serious challenges in the world of work. “Many still encounter discrimination in employment, unequal opportunities for promotion, and barriers to leadership within institutions. In some workplaces, women continue to face harassment and gender-based violence, which is unacceptable and must be firmly confronted by our unions. Young workers equally face their own struggles. Many young people are confronted with high unemployment, insecure jobs, low wages, and limited access to social protection. Even when young workers join unions, their voices are often missing from leadership structures where critical decisions are made. This situation must change.
Comrades, ladies and gentlemen, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions believes that the strength of the labour movement lies in its ability to organize broadly and inclusively,” advised Dr. Beene, pointing out that a trade union movement that excludes women and young workers cannot be strong and sustainable.
Looking ahead, Dr. Beene holds a firm view that a trade union movement that fails to prepare future leaders risks weakening itself.
“This is why ZCTU is calling on all affiliate unions to deliberately strengthen their women and youth structures within their organizations. These structures must not exist only on paper. They must be active, vibrant, and empowered to mobilize workers, participate in decision-making, and influence the direction of our unions. Women and young workers bring new energy, new ideas, and new perspectives into the labour movement. When their voices are heard, our unions become stronger, more democratic, and more responsive to the realities of the modern world of work. But comrades, let me also emphasize that building a strong labour movement is not the responsibility of women alone or youth alone. Men, women, and young people must work together in solidarity,” advised Dr. Beene.
Dr. Beene noted that a strong union movement is built when:
experienced leaders mentor the next generation, women participate equally in leadership and negotiations, young workers are empowered to organize their fellow workers and all workers stand united in defense of justice and dignity at work.
Dr. Beene says solidarity across generations and genders is what gives the labour movement its power.
“Comrades, the training is therefore important because it equips our leaders with the knowledge and confidence required to organize workers effectively, defend labour rights, and strengthen the institutional capacity of our unions,” implored Dr. Beene as he stressed leaving with practical strategies on how to recruit more women and young workers into unions, empowering females and youth to take leadership roles, promoting gender equality in workplaces and ensuring that young workers become active participants in shaping the future of the labour movement.
Alluding to 2026 as an important national election year, anticipated to witness heightened political activity and democratic participation as a fundamental right for every citizen, Beene implored unionists to desist from viewing it as a battlefield for partisan political conflicts.
“Workers must remain professional and focused on their mandate. The trade union movement must remain a unifying force that promotes national stability, peace, and development. I wish to call upon all women and young workers gathered here today, and indeed all workers across the country:
Remain steadfast and focused in promoting peace and national unity. Let us not allow political divisions to destroy the solidarity that workers have built over many years. Trade unions must continue to engage government, employers, and political actors on the basis of policies that advance workers’ welfare, not on partisan political loyalties,” admonished Dr. Beene.
Dr. Beene reiterated with clarity that the role of trade unions is clearly to defend workers’ rights, advocate for decent work, promote social justice and contribute to national development.
“The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions will continue to support all its affiliates in building strong, democratic, and inclusive unions. We remain committed to promoting leadership development, strengthening gender equality, and empowering young workers to take their rightful place within the labour movement,” vowed Dr. Beene.
Dr. Beene pegged the Women and Youth Leadership Training Workshop as a moment of reflection, learning, and renewed commitment to build stronger women and youth structures,
and ultimately a stronger labour movement in Zambia.

“Together, through unity and solidarity, we shall continue to defend the dignity of workers and advance the cause of social justice in Zambia,” advised Dr. Beene.
Earlier, ZCTU Women’s Committee Chairperson Jane Gondwe regretted that women’s representation in decision making positions at twenty per cent (20%) is still too low.