NGO calls for women leaders’ social support

Governance, Gender, Justice and Development Centre, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) and government sectors to set up systems to promote women’s equal participation.

The organisation’s Mchinji district coordinator Gervazio Zulu made the call on Friday during a meeting with women organisations and government sectors led by women to support women leaders in the district.

He said CSOs and government departments led by women have a vital role to play in ensuring that women in political and social leadership positions are promoted.

“Women leaders in village development committees [VDCs], area development committees [ADCs] and councillors need support from fellow women heading CSOs,” he said.

Zulu said they have established women forums at traditional authority and district levels to enable women effectively tackle their issues.

Mchinji District gender development officer Mariana Kanjirawaya commended the organisation for the programme.

“They provide a platform to share ideas. Through their programme, women participated in the local council elections last year and some have been elected in VDCs in the district,” she said.

During the meeting, participants recommended more networking and programmes among CSOs and government departments headed by women.

The organisation is implementing a Women Empowered for Leadership (WE4L) Programme with funding from Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Hivos in Mchinji.