Women tout gender forums

Women in Kasungu say gender forums have empowered them to take up leadership positions in the district.

The forums were established last year in the district’s traditional authorities by Gender, Governance, Justice and Development Centre to encourage women to take up leadership positions and participate in development activities.

In an interview, Kasungu Women Forum chairperson Stella Phinifolo said they are confident in vying for position held by men.

“Currently, village development committees and area development committees are being reconstituted in the district and women have taken leadership positions,” she said.

Gender, Governance, Justice and Development Centre project officer Grace Makuti said she was pleased that the forums have empowered the women.

“We engaged traditional leaders on the need to help women attain leadership positions,” she said.

Kasungu District gender officer Humphrey Longwe said the forums were an important structure in district.

“They also deal with gender-based violence and stop child marriages,” he said.

With support from Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Hivos, Gender, Governance, Justice and Development Centre has been implementing a Women Empowered 4 Leadership (WE4L) project in the district.