By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, August 1, Mana: First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera has challenged women in the country to take advantage of the available water bodies and land to make their homes food secure.

Chakwera said it is unacceptable to have perennial food insecurity when the country has abundant fresh water in lakes and rivers and plenty of fertile land.

She was speaking Wednesday during the opening of the 2024 National Women's Ministries Convention for Assemblies of God at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu.

"As women, we must be the backbone of our country, leading it with light.

"No woman must be hungry in this country. We must not lack anything. We are blessed with fresh water and good soils but we always face hunger. We must ask God to open our eyes," Chakwera said.

The First Lady also asked the women to use the convention to learn new things that would help change their lives and families for the better.

"This convention should teach us new things which we can practice when we go back home and improve our living.

"You must also take time to read the Malawi 2063 so that you can identify something you can concentrate on as a family to move forward," Chakwera said.

Madame Chakwera, who also donated K10 million towards the convention which runs from Wednesday to Friday, said the Assemblies of God Church values women and prides to be the first church in the country to ordain women pastors.

Deputy Director for the Women's Ministry of Assemblies of God, Queen Nkhata, said the convention is a good opportunity for the women to learn life changing lessons.

She said the church is committed to ensuring that lives of women change for the better.

The church's president, Andrew Dube, is expected to minister at the event that has attracted women members from all the church's five divisions in the country, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The event has been organized under the theme 'Trailblazers, finishing strong'.