Joyce Banda hails launch of First Intergenerational Dialogue on Generation Equality and Women's Leadership

MALAWI: Former Malawi President Joyce Banda has hailed the launch of the First Intergenerational Dialogue on Generation Equality and Women's Leadership on Thursday as another step forward in the global fight for gender equality and women's empowerment.

Banda, who is also Chairperson of Women’s Empowerment and Development (WED) Africa – Asia, made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the conference at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi.

“This is a momentous occasion for me and indeed for fellow women and men who have been part of our journey to gender equality and women empowerment throughout the world. It marks yet another milestone in our quest to see a world where women and girls can exercise their freedom and choices, realize all their rights and indeed participate fully in all spaces,” said Banda.

She stated that after the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2020, world leaders assessed what they had accomplished and where they were falling short.

The former Malawi leader said they observed that, while significant progress had been made in many sectors of our economies, additional efforts are still required to see meaningful change.

She said: “There are still critical gaps in equality that have left millions of women and girls behind. It is for this reason that the Generation Equality Forum was convened in Mexico and France from 30th June to 2nd July 2021.”

Malawi, along with Canada and the Netherlands, is a leader of the "Feminist Movement and Leadership" coalition under the Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality.

“As a convener and on behalf of fellow leaders under this coalition, I am proud of this milestone. This conference has brought together older and younger generations so that we can have meaningful conversations and create a shared knowledge on issues relating to gender equality. We have created a safe space for young women and girls to participate, to discuss their challenges and more importantly, to join the feminist movement,” said Banda.

President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, presided over the official opening of the conference.

Other high-level delegates that are in attendance include Her Excellency Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, former President of Liberia; Her Excellency Jewel Taylor, Vice President of Liberia; Her Excellency Catherine Samba Panza, Former Interim President of the Central African Republic and Her Excellency, Joice Runaida Mujuru, Former Vice President of Zimbabwe.