Victoria Kalima facts for kids

Victoria Kalima Phiri (born October 4, 1972 – died June 11, 2018) was an important politician from Zambia. She served as the Minister of Gender and was also a member of the National Assembly for the area called Kasenengwa. She held these roles until she passed away.

Victoria Kalima's Early Life

Victoria Kalima was born on October 4, 1972, in Kitwe, Zambia. She was the third child of Mustered and Evelyn Kalima.

Her Education Journey

Victoria went to Kabale Primary School and then Lwitikila Girls School in Mpika. She later studied for a special business degree called an MBA at Cavendish University in Lusaka. She also earned diplomas in managing agricultural businesses and in international relations. After her studies, she started her own company from scratch. It was called Plant Agr-Chem Services. She worked hard to make it one of the best agricultural dealerships in Zambia.

Victoria Kalima's Career in Politics

Victoria Kalima worked as a business administrator for the Zambia Cooperate Federation in Lusaka from 1994 to 1998. In 1999, she started her own company, Plant Agri-Chem, and became its CEO.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In 2011, Victoria Kalima was chosen to represent the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy party for the Kasenengwa area in the general elections. She won the election and became a member of the National Assembly. However, her victory was later cancelled by the Supreme Court because of some issues with her campaign.

Victoria was chosen again by her party to run in a special election in 2014. She won this by-election and returned to the National Assembly.

Her Work in Parliament

After being re-elected, Victoria joined important committees in Parliament. These included the Committee on Government Assurances and the Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights, National Guidance, Gender Matters and Governance.

During the 2015 presidential elections, she supported a different political party's candidate, Hakainde Hichilema. This caused some local leaders in Kasenengwa to say they would try to make her lose her seat in the next elections.

Becoming a Minister

Before the 2016 general elections, Victoria Kalima suggested that her party should work with another party, the Patriotic Front. She later joined the Patriotic Front party herself. She was chosen as their candidate for Kasenengwa and won the election again. After the elections, she was appointed as the Minister of Gender.

Fighting for Rights

In 2012, Victoria spoke up for journalists whose cameras were taken away and who were detained. In 2017, she became a strong supporter against gender inequality and child marriages. That same year, she suggested a new law about marriage. This law would make sure that people could not get married until they were at least 21 years old.

Victoria Kalima's Personal Life

Victoria Kalima was a widow and had two children. She was a devout Christian. She was also the goddaughter of former President Rupiah Banda. Victoria Kalima passed away on June 11, 2018, at the age of 45, in Lusaka, Zambia.