Stop manipulating women, warns Kaliati

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati has warned men against manipulating and duping women in the name of love.

Kaliati sounded the warning Friday night in Blantyre during the launch of Professional Women Network -Prownet Blantyre Chapter.

She described as unfortunate reports that some male managers still demand sex from female workers as a ‘token of appreciation for favours’.

“I am sad to hear such reports. As educated women, we should strive to rise in our career or get well-paying jobs. It is high time we fought this and stop men from manipulating us. Let us go to school and upgrade so that we get these things on merit,” said Kaliati.

She also expressed concern over increased cases of duping in relationships.

“A lot of women come crying to my office. They have worked hard to develop their businesses and here comes a man promising them love or marriage. In no time he starts making unexplainable financial demands taking advantage that the woman is desperate. At the end, the business collapses and the man is nowhere to be seen.

“The sad part is that most women run their businesses through loans, and such incidences put them in an awkward position. The law must take its course on such men once they are caught,” she said.

Prownet chairperson Rudo Nkukupa-Chakwera, said the network aims at bringing women together so that they socialise and share ideas on various socio-economic challenges.

“We are doing this to make sure that girls remain in school so that they take up senior positions in future and also get empowered to fight for their rights,” said Nkukupa-Chakwera.

The network started as a social group on Facebook but due to increased demand for interaction, a secretariat was established and eventually got registered in January this year.