President Lazarus Chakwera serious on empowering women- Abida Mia

By Leo Mkhuwala

The inclusion of women in the current ‘Tonse Alliance’ cabinet by about 38 percent is a clear indication that the Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is seriously determined to promote women in this country, Deputy Minister of Lands and Urban Development Abida Mia has said on Sunday during a women empowerment function in Mulanje district.

Mia who was guest of honour during the graduation ceremony of 40 women from the area of Group Village Headman Kambenje in the district, who have completed their training in tailoring and designing, said the inclusion of so many women in the Chakwera cabinet is something that has never happened in the history of Malawi.

“This shows that he is trying to empower women and he has actually empowered us,” said Mia and continued: “And its now for us women to empower our fellow women in all sectors”.

The Deputy Minister cited that, against the background of poverty and marital oppression, time has come for women to be assisted in acquiring land, not only in rural areas but also in urban places.

She however advised women that when empowered they should always be respectful to thier husbands hence use the empowerment to strengthen the bonds of their marital relationship.

During the function, the Deputy Minister presented to the graduants certificates and money anounting to K400,000 for them to use as starter pack.

Courtesy of AQSA, an Islamic religious organisation who donated 40 sewing machines to the graduating students and a token of appreciation of 2 bicycles for the Sheikh who used to teach madrassa education to widen the students’ Islamic knowledge and for the tutor who used to teach tailoring and designing.

According to Aqsa coordinator, Muhammad Hussein, empowering poor women to become self reliant and self sufficient was the core objective of the organisation in coming with such a skills empowerment initiative and the donation.