By Brenda Kayo:
United Nations (UN) Women has lamented Malawi’s poor performance in meeting gender equality goals.
UN Women Country Representative Letty Chiwara made the remarks yesterday ahead of International Women’s Day, which falls today.
Chiwara cited education, political participation and economic empowerment as some of the areas of concern.
She said, as things stood, Malawi ranked 173 out of 188 countries on the UN’s Inequality Index.
Chiwara added that Malawi had the eighth highest child marriage rate in the world
“That is very worrisome, in terms of the statistics, comparing with other countries,” Chiwara said.
On her part, Gender Deputy Minister Halima Daudi said International Women’s Day would give stakeholders the platform to create a fair and inclusive world where all women and girls have equal opportunities, rights and access to leadership and decision-making spaces.
“Malawi has made progress in promoting women’s rights but there is still more work to be done. The ministry is urging all stakeholders to support efforts to promote women’s rights and empowerment,” Daudi said.
She said the ministry has organised activities to mark the day, including a visit to Kamuzu Central Hospital Maternity Ward in Lilongwe today.
On March 7, ministry officials are scheduled to have a breakfast meeting and business expo with small-scale businesswomen at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre.
The day will be commemorated under the theme ‘All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment’.
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