JB urges women to get to parliament and change oppressive laws
President Joyce Banda has asked women in the country to campaign vigouriously in the 2014 tripartite elections to enabke them win parliamentray seats and help change some of the laws that are oppressive to women.
She was speaking at the Mary Mount Secondary School in Mzuzu where she was guest of honour at a ceremony Zodiak Briadcasting Service conducted its 2013 Malawi School Certificate Examination (MSCE) Best Girl Award of eight students from St Mary’s, Dowa, Blantyre and Mary mount Secondary Schools.
Banda said things are not working out for women in Malawi on issues of education, gender, fighting maternal deaths, and leadership ambitions because the environment in parliament and outside it is not conducive for them.
She said women can only excel in their quest to become leaders if men stop talking ill of them and level the battle field so that the 50:50 campaign on gender equality is achieved.
She then thanked the Chinese government and Zodiak for initiating the best MSCE Girl award saying it motivates women.
Banda then challenged the media to put women on the spotlight by featuring the successful ones more on electric and print media to rouse the curiosity of others in doubt and fight the negative mindset that has sidelined them for long time.
She gave examples of Byenala Kawonga and Mary Tiyanjane Chitani (Mary Mount Secondary School)Chitsanzo Kawirira of Dowa Secondary Schools who scored 6 points each. Glory Shaba and Miriam Mazibuko from Mary Mount Secondary School) Tamanda Bridget Supply and Maria Meke (St Mary’s Girls secondary school) and Colin grace Dikiya(Blantyre Secondary School)chalked 7 points.
These got frustrations from boys in class but managed to excel with flying colours.
Those that scored 6 points will go to China on the Chinese government sponsorship and Zodiak while those who recorded 7 points are sponsored by President Banda and will study in the United States of America.
