Malawi President Asks Malawian Men and Boys “Join Me in solidarity to achieve gender equality and women empowerment”;

Pres Mutharika Launch He for She Campaign

Mutharika

The Malawi State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has called all men and boys to be the champions for gender equality and women empowerment campaign dubbed ‘He for She Campaign’ which has been launched on Thursday at Parliament Building in the capital Lilongwe.

‘He for She Campaign’ a UN Women solidarity movement for gender equality seeks to encourage Malawian men and boys to support and empower women in all aspects of life in order to gender based violence.

Speaking at the launch marking the kick start of the campaign President Mutharika said the campaign has come at a right time because it will strength his “government drive and commitment to gender equality and women empowerment.” Adding that it also provides opportunity for resourcelization of men and boys to support and promote women and girls empowerment.

As he officially launched the campaign Mutharika called upon men and boys in Malawi to join him in solidarity to achieve gender equality and women empowerment

“I am calling upon all men and boys to be champions for ‘He for She Campaign’,” he said “I am Champion number one and I expect all men and boys in Malawi to join me” and later added “Real men should commit themselves by signing the He for She Campaign!”

The Malawi president has emphasized that women empowerment is not only a woman’s problem but it is a human rights issue which calls for full support and participation of “all men and boys”

He reiterated his government commitment to achieve provisions of the Gender Equality Act, SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and African Union Charter for the Rights of Women.

Mutharika

The Malawi leader who has labeled himself as ‘Champion number one’ for ‘He for She Campaign’ urged Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare to ensure that 2015 year of women be marked with number of activities which promotes gender equality and women empowerment and the rights as Africa moves towards achievement of 2063 African Union Agenda which aims at narrowing the gap between men and women.

Mutharika acknowledged with sadness the existence of gap between men and women in various sectors including education, employment sector and politics “It is also unfortunate that men and boys tend to strongly oppose the efforts being made to level the playing field for equal competition”

“I urge every Malawian man and boy in particular to reverse the trend and we should be the ones to encourage our sisters, daughters and mothers and aunts to carry the mantle and run ahead of us.”

He emphasized that gender equality and women empowerment is the tool for achieving the sustainable development of Malawi. He added that various institutions including parliament and civil society are the conduits for a conducive legal and policy environment for the effective efficient attainment of gender equality and women empowerment in Malawi.

Before making his speech President Mutharika, followed by his vice Saulos Chilima, Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera, male Cabinet Ministers, Legislatures and all men present at the event signed a campaign pledged which reads “I Promise never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against girls. I promise to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment”

Mutharika said for signing the pledge he is committed to promote gender equality and women empowerment “This gesture I face my zeal to ensure that women and men are equal” in all sectors of life.

Alice Harding Shackelford a country representative for UN Women in Malawi also emphasized that Gender equality is everyone’s and every government’s business for the

“Gender equality is a must for economic development, leaving 50% out of the cohesion is not a smart economy” she said, adding that women and girls be empowered and protected from any forms of gender based violence hence men should take lead.

The ‘He for She campaign’ is being represented with purple color for Loyalty and Peace, White color for Purity and Love and Red color for ‘no’ to gender violence.