Kathewera-Banda heads NGO-GCN
Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Worlec) executive director Maggie Kathewera-Banda is now the new board chairperson of the Non-Governmental Organisations-Gender Coordinating Network (NGO-GCN).
She has taken over from Barbara Banda who was at the helm from 2018 to 2023.
Kathewera-Banda, who is expected to lead the organisation for the next three years, was elected during an annual general meeting which took place in Lilongwe on December 12.
The meeting also elected David Odalli as vice-chairperson while Wesley Chabwera is the new treasurer. Other board members include Nelson Zakeyo, Carol Mvalo and Thandizo Mphwiyo.
Commenting on her new role in an interview yesterday, Kathewera-Banda thanked the NGO-GCN members for entrusting her with such a responsibility.
“I accept the position with all humility. It is not an easy task, but I believe that with the help of God and support from different stakeholders, I will make it,” she said.
Kathewera-Banda further applauded her predecessor for sustaining the network in challenging times, pleading with government and development partners to come in and support the network.
Initiated amid the need to address gender issues in the country, NGO-GCN has grown to be a network enhancing the great strides in gender interventions in Malawi.
The network, which currently boasts of a membership of 51 active civil society organisations, was birthed in 1998 to strengthen the capacity of NGOs to promote gender equality and women empowerment through civic education, capacity building, advocacy, research and knowledge management, networking and information sharing among members and stakeholders in Malawi.
