By Francis Chipalo
Ladies in Creative Arts (LICA) has been launched with a call for unity of purpose among members in creative arts across the country.
Speaking during the launch in Lusaka over the weekend, chairperson M’faweli Mwambo explained that the organization is a vibrant and diverse network of women who are passionate about creative arts in all its forms.
Mwambo highlighted that LICA’s members include producers, writers, actors, directors, sculptors, authors, and artists of all kinds drawn from Central, Copperbelt, Western and Southern province.
So that no lady in creative arts is left behind, Mwambo stated that strategies to have presence in other provinces are being worked on, further saying that the aim is to ensure that ladies in creative arts is truly a representative of the entire country.
“We are not just limited to one discipline, but rather, we encompass a wide range of creative fields, film, theatre, writing, sculpture and many more,” she said.
“Because we believe that ladies in creative arts is for everybody, we are committed to expanding our reach and creating opportunities for women from all over Zambia to join us.
We want to provide a platform for women to showcase their talents, share their experiences, and learn from each other, regardless of their geographical location,” Mwambo said.
The artist further said the association aims to provide a safe and supportive environment where women can grow, learn, and develop their creative skills.
“We tackle topics that are relevant to our members, from mental health to Gender Based Violence (GBV), finance and technology and we provide a space for women to share their experiences and insights,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mwambo explained that the vision of the association is to be a leading voice in the creative arts industry, and to provide a platform for women to showcase their talents and achievements.
Mwambo added that the association wants to inspire future generations of women artists, and to contribute to the growth and development of the creative arts industry in Zambia and beyond.
“Some of the things we want to achieve is international recognition on various platforms, where we can speak as creative artists and influences decision – making processes that affect our industry.
We look forward to participating in international forums, securing funding for our initiatives, and building capacity for our members because we believe in empowering women to take up decision – making roles in the various disciplines,” she added.
