The Blantyre Feminomics Hub has called on women and girls to be self-reliant and actively participate in community development. The call was made during a meeting aimed at emphasizing the role of women in various sectors, including economic growth.
Speaking at the gathering, one of the hub’s leaders, Temwanani Banda, expressed concern over the limited participation of women in leadership and development, despite ongoing efforts to promote gender equality.
“It is disappointing to see that many women and girls are still not taking up active roles in development, even with the strides being made in gender inclusivity,” Banda said.
She stressed the importance of women realizing their potential and breaking barriers that hinder their involvement in key decision-making roles.
Blantyre City Council youth officer Martha Chilewani also urged women to take a leading role in leadership positions, noting that the government is championing gender equality.
She said: “We are running initiatives with various stakeholders advocating for gender balance, mainly encouraging women and youths in leadership positions.”
One of the participants, Taona Tinosi, attributed the lack of women’s participation to deeply rooted cultural norms and poverty. She noted that traditional beliefs often place women in subordinate positions, making it difficult for them to assert themselves in leadership and development roles.
“In many communities, women are still seen as secondary to men, which limits their opportunities. Economic hardships also play a big role in preventing women from stepping forward,” Tinosih said.
She added that the meeting was an eye-opener, and she intended to share the knowledge gained with other women and girls in her community to help empower them.
