Malawi launches ‘HeForShe’ campaign
Malawi on Thursday launched the new initiative to galvanize the support of leaders to bring an end to the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls around the world.
Launching the campaign at Parliament Building in Lilongwe, President Peter Mutharika pledged to ensure that women and men are equal and have the right to equal opportunities in all the sectors of national development.
The Malawi leader said “women and men have equal rights and opportunities in employment, decision making, politics, private sector, public life and indeed religious and civil society undertakings.”
Before addressing the gathering President Mutharika signed a declaration in support of the HeForShe campaign which he was supported in solidarity by a dozen of male members of parliament who also signed.
Leader of opposition in Parliament Dr Lazarus Chakwera also signed the declartion.
In an interview with Nyasa Times, Chakwera said HeForShe asks men to stand up for women’s rights and gender equality, to address inequality and discrimination faced by women worldwide.
“There is a need for men to be part of this initiative, There is need for a conscious effort to keep women’s voices front and centre of these campaigns,” he said.
The Theme of the campaign is “I Say No to Violence against Women and Girls. Promote Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment”.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati urged the women in the country to be the owners in spearheading peace in the country and not be the perpetrators of violence amongst men and fellow women.
Kaliati also thanked the legislators for passing the Trafficking Persons Bill and the President for ascending the Marriage, Divorce and family Bill which is now a law.
UN Women Resident Representative, Alice Shackle ford acknowledged Governments efforts in supporting gender balance, thereby pledging full support in championing the campaign.
Heforshe sounds like men should replace women.
Why use purple colour? The gender minister is catholic and knows well what this means. Why not pink? Anamukakamiza colour ya chisoniyi chifukwa ena amafuna kumatchisa mpakana kumudzi. GDP yomweyi ya $216 per person. Kusowa zochita komanso kupanda chisoni ndimomwe anthu akuvutikira m’midzimu!
Waste of time, too much silly funfare, everyday all night. When is ESCOM and Water Boards lauching something. We just like wasting time in Malawi
M’malo mochita chitukuko, tikhalire malonchi opanda ntchito wa???? Chakwera / speaker / mutharika manyazi agwire zipumi zanuzo.
I hope women will enjoy their rights responsibly.Otherwise I can forsee the new chapter of greater violence.
Does it means there were no women rights before this?what more rights do you want in religious affair to become pastors?we are inviting the second phase of disaster because God can see we are ignoring him slowly.
What a stupid Nyasa times writer!How can u put the picture of your chakwela on top and that of the president at the middle?
This is pure shit. what happened to man’s reasoning? what will happen after the signature, mutithothola ziwalo ndikumazisinthanitsa? Rubish
God Is not a stupid to differentiate between a man and a woman, a boy and a girl. If you want another disasters in this impoverished country, let’s be against the nature of God.He the almighty will give what we need.but hey!blame no body but chakwera and his fans.remember this words very soon it will come to pass.