It’s FINALLY here: Women Empowerment Activation Weekend-Malawi

MALAWI: The Virtual Women Empowerment Activation Weekend-Malawi, which is expected to bring together Malawian experts, role models, people with lived experiences, and mentors from across the country, is finally here after much planning.

Beginning at 13:15 P.M. on Friday, participants at the event, organized as part of International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8th, will discuss relevant issues affecting women in real life and share solutions, strategies, and tools to alleviate, overcome, or mitigate the impact of these challenges.

“The purpose for this event is to spark a conversation around various biases affecting women across different age groups in Malawi, including sexual harassment and abuse, intimate partner violence, and workplace harassment that have been on the rise in our communities,” said Thoko Njoloma of Women of Valor, one the organizations behind the event.

The other organizations behind the first-ever event are the Association of Women in Media and mHub.

The keynote speaker at the event is no other Martha Chizuma, Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Another speaker is Professor Malata. She is a trailblazer in academia, having served as Vice-Chancellor of Malawi University of Science and Technology and as the former President of the Africa Honor Society of Nursing of Sigma Theta Tau International.

She has led numerous transformational projects in the nursing and health fields, and she is an outspoken advocate for girls and women.

Vera Kamtukule, Malawi's youngest female cabinet member, will also speak at the virtual event. Vera is a prolific writer, published author, life and leadership coach, keynote, and motivational speaker who has dedicated her life to the development of people, particularly women and girls of all ages around the world.

Njoloma said: “Following an increase in gender-based violence cases, including intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, and abuse, both at work and in our country's universities, it is time to start investing in mindset transformation as a tool to empower women to make the best possible decisions, navigate available options, and seek redress for these issues.’’

This conference will bring together experts, role models, people with lived experiences, and mentors from across the country to discuss real-life issues affecting women and to share solutions, strategies, and tools to alleviate, overcome, or mitigate the impact of these challenges.

Thoko said during the event, women will be given information, knowledge, tools, strategies, and skills to help them navigate the archaic culture and overcome prejudices, stereotypes, and micro-aggressions.

During the virtual event, presenters and panelists will discuss some of the challenges women face in society as a result of their gender, as well as how these challenges reinforce biases that make them more vulnerable, creating gaps in their lives.

The event will be live-streamed on the Facebook Page, WomenEmpowermentActivationMalawi.