Kaliati’s book set for launch

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare  Patricia Kaliati has written a book, She Participates, scheduled for launch tomorrow at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.

According to the author, the book covers a wide range of issues with a special focus on what women face in their daily life.

She said the book also offers insights into how men  conduct themselves in relation to women.

Kaliati said the book is inspired by her long service in the gender sector, which has exposed her to a lot of challenges facing women and children.

She said the book is a tool to help women and children transition into more productive and protected positions.

The minister said the book is her contribution to give back to the society for the lessons that she has learnt and impart the same to the younger generation.

“I am focusing on the subjective roles of women and what women can achieve if given the opportunities and support to be at the centre of everything that happens and affects them,” said Kaliati.

She Participates is among the three books that Kaliati has recently authored. Others are Street Lives Matter and Women Empowerment. The author said the recent offering is a result of research that she undertook for two years.

In an interview, Kaliati cited examples of how women’s opportunities have been diminished because of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: “Women voices matter, but their space in society is very limited. It is not just about Malawi, but the challenges that women are facing globally.”

Initially, the book launch was slated to coincide with the International Day of Women, but due to some challenges it did not take place.

Lilongwe-based publishers Sky Ways Books printed the books.

During the project, Kaliati worked with other individuals such as Professor Chinthenga and Tionge Msiska who were responsible for the editing and additional research work. The book will be selling at K15 000. 

In a seperate interview, Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) president Chikumbutso Ndaferankhande applauded the minister for the move.

“I believe she will appreciate the plight writers go through in terms of production and marketing,” he said.