General
Source: Malawi News Agency
Minister of Gender,Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati has emphasized the need for gender equality, equity and women empowerment if the country was to achieve sustainable development.
Kaliati made the remarks Monday in Lilongwe when she officially opened a Women Leaders and Managers Forum which attracted participants from parastatals, academia, private sector as well and government, among others.
The minister said the forum will act as an important platform where the women will be able to discuss and share skills on how they can overcome challenges they face.
Participant to the workshop pose for a group photo - Pic by Bernard Chisoni
"Malawi cannot achieve meaningful and sustainable social economic development without the participation of women who are more than half of the population.
"Women have the potential to effectively take part in the transformation of economy in the country, "said Kaliati.
Statistics show that participation of women decision making position in the public services is at 23 percent while at the national assembly is at 25 percent, at the local assembly level is at 10 percent, said Kaliati.
She also said government was committed to have in place mechanisms to address gender issues such as implementation of girls education, readmission of policy of teen mothers, intensification of adult literacy class conducting gender audit and implementation gender budgeting .
On her part the Director of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada Ann Mason said: "we need to recognize women in the country so that we should avoid the harsh treatment women face."