APM launches He for She Campaign
President Peter Mutharika on Thursday launched the He for She Campaign at Parliament grounds in Lilongwe.
The campaign being championed by several organisations, including UN Women and the Ministry of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare, seeks to streamline and promote gender and protection issues in the country.
In his speech, Mutharika said the campaign has come at the right time.
Said Mutharika: “I will make sure that we take a clear stand to reinforce principles of gender equality as enshrined in the Constitution and other relevant legislations. This gesture affirms my zeal to ensure that women and men are equal and have the right to equal opportunities in employment, decision making, politics, private sector, public life and indeed religious and civil society undertakings. I wish to reiterate that my government is committed to achieve the provisions of the Gender Equality Act; the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development; and the African Union Charter on the Rights of Women.”
Minister of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati affirmed that gender equality is everyone’s business.
Said Kaliati: “All girls aim to have access to education and the right to grow up with positive role models which respect women and I will make sure that proper legislations and policies are put in place to address challenges that women and girls face. We also want to ensure that men and boys become part and parcel of the country’s fight against gender inequality.”
Taking her turn, UN Women Country Representative in Malawi Alice Shackleford said a strong stand and call to action is required to achieve gender equality.
Shackleford said: “We want critical change to promote gender equality and women’s rights. We also need a strong Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare with an equally strong role in mainstreaming gender issues across sectors.”
The campaign comes barely a week after the passing of the Marriage Bill by Parliament, which is also expected to significantly address gender equality issues in the country.
