President Chakwera challenges women to fight for gender equality, empowerment

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has challenged women to take active role in fighting for gender equality and women empowerment.

Chakwera made the remarks when he officially opened High Level Dialogue on Generation Equality and Women Leadership Conference in Lilongwe.

The President said for the country to develop, women must not be left behind in all development agenda through creation of deliberate policies meant to empower women.

“Malawi has made a number of progress in ensuring that many women are in decision making positions including cabinet ministers, foreign mission, parastatals and the judiciary,” Chakwera

The president however asked the women to refrain from pulling each other down a syndrome he said discourages others to promote women.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati, said the forum will provide a platform to discuss challenges women are facing in attaining leadership positions.

Kaliati said the conference has come at a right time where delegates will share notes and experiences from different countries and integrate in one force.

During the ceremony, former president of Liberia, Hellen Johnson Sirleaf and her counterpart Dr Joyce Banda presented to Chakwera an award for promoting gender equality and women empowerment.