By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, April 4, Mana: Women in Dedza District have been urged to join associations where they could be economically empowered and have their skills enhanced for improved livelihoods in order to make the Malawi 2063 Agenda possible.
The remarks were made on Wednesday at Kwathu Boutique in Dedza when the district council, through the gender office, held its International Women's Day commemoration where over 100 women gathered to interact and share issues that affect them.
Mphatso Banda, one of the participants under Dedza Business Women Association, said women in the district are uniting and working to uplift their lives towards achieving the Malawi 2063 Agenda hence a call for others to follow suit.
“This is where we learn and share issues, especially small business ideas. We call upon other women to come forth. They should be able to differentiate their yesterday, today and tomorrow," she said.
According to Banda, their grouping has more initiatives towards transforming Dedza and developing Malawi as a country.
"We are sure that through this, we are building on strong foundations towards achieving the Malawi 2063 Agenda where our children will lean on," she said.
District Gender Officer Lisnet Dauya expressed satisfaction, saying the event, among others, helped women to showcase what they do in their respective communities.
She added that the event was very important, as it empowered women to speak out and also work together in development initiatives.
On her part, Presidential Advisor on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Martha Kwataine, who was the guest of honour at the event, asked various stakeholders to invest in women by empowering them to accomplish their plans.
She said women needed to be empowered economically so that they can stop depending on men in everything.
“Let me commend NGOs that are implementing projects with the objectives of supporting women in the district.
“We all know that the root cause of Gender Based Violence is poverty and if we empower women to join cooperatives, it can help them live a good life,” said Kwataine.
The event was commemorated under the theme: “Invest in women, accelerate progress.”
