Malawi launches national strategy on ending child marriages

The first lady professor Gertrude Mutharika has said will continue fighting against child marriages and gender based violence until girls and women live freely in the country.

Mutharika made the remarks during the launch of the national strategy on ending child marriages.

The launch took place at BICC during the commemoration of 2018 international women’s day.

Presenting her speech, Mutharika said the country cannot develop if women are excluded in various activities.

“It is now time to empower women and girls so that they remain at school to achieve their goals,” emphasised Mutharika.

Mutharika then called upon women to support one another in economic development.

In her speech UN Resident Coordinator Ms Maria Jose said will continue supporting Malawi in the fight against child marriages.

“I plead with community leaders, journalists, civil society, parents and guardians to report human rights violence so that appropriate action must be taken,” appealed Jose.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of NGOs gender coordination network Mrs Emma Kaliya expressed worry over the increase of gender based violence in the country.

She commended efforts among women to stop the abuse on fellow women.

Kaliya concluded by saying that “it’s high time women held public offices and were educated hence the need to abolish beliefs that encourage discrimination of girls and women.”

This year’s commemoration of international women’s day was held under the theme “Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Girl’s and women’s Lives.