Women empowerment a must!

OPINION

Malawi: Gender-based violence is a vice that has stymied Malawi's meaningful development. After experiencing gender-based violence, the majority of women suffer humiliation and often play it shy with mental degradation.

To eliminate the vice, stakeholders and policymakers must increase efforts to empower women and girls so that they can rise and take on responsible roles in decision-making positions.

This gesture would propel Malawi's development forward indefinitely. The role of a woman as a mother should not be underestimated, as they go to great lengths to provide for their families and other close relatives.

As a result, it is critical for a country to promote deliberate policies aimed at empowering women and girls. The masses should always be reminded that educating a girl child means educating the entire nation.

The initiative to accelerate women and girl empowerment will contribute to the consolidation of a previously held belief that women were second-class citizens. Women's roles should no longer be limited to giving birth and caring for children.

Malawi, as a transformed nation, should inspire more women and girls to rise to positions of power. Role models such as Gender and Community Development Minister Patricia Kaliyati and the first female National Assembly Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara should inspire both policymakers and young women and girls.

Martha Chizuma, the young director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), and Teresa Temweka Ndanga, the firm chairperson of the National Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi), are two of the few female leaders who have demonstrated that women can perform equally well as men.

Miss Colleen Zamba was recently appointed as Secretary to the President and Cabinet by President Chakwera. The appointment of Zamba, who is deputised by another female, Janet Banda, demonstrates political will, which is not always fully supported by stakeholders outside the executive administration.

As Gender Minister and a God-fearing woman who believes in virtue, Kaliati has frequently taken the lead in championing the issue of women's empowerment in the country.

"The days of women being only prepared to be housewives are long gone." Let us all stand up and work together to end gender-based violence. Women should not allow themselves to be ridden by men. Women were not created to be housewives; they require empowerment," says Kaliyati.

During various gatherings, the Gender Minister has stated that the best foundation for effective women empowerment in Malawi is through a strategic engagement of educating the girl child.

"By doing so, we will educate more women, thereby eradicating gender-based violence in the country," Kaliati adds.