Women Body Congratulates Chakwera, Expects Gender Inclusive Cabinet

One of the country’s women body, Women’s Manifesto Movement (WOMAN) has congratulated the newly elected president of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera and his vice Saulos Chilima for emerging victorious in the fresh presidential elections held on June 23, 2020.

In a statement signed by Barbra Banda and Martha Kathewera, the body said they are expecting Chakwera presidency to work on improving lives of women in the country for the next five years Chakwera will be governing the country.

According to the statement, hopes are that the Chakwera-Chilima presidency will address the “long standing issues that affect women in leadership in accordance with the Gender Equality Act”

Among others, the body has said it is looking forward to see a gender inclusive cabinet and other public appointments.

WOMAN has also demanded that government should also consider of paying much its attention to women and youth’s access to education, good quality maternal health services and accessible agricultural services.

“We are expecting justice in particular, the Msundwe women and girls mass rape committed by state security services,” reads the statement in part.

Last year investigations were instituted into the matter but a report from the police is yet to come out and justice has not been served.

During the 2019 campaign period President Chakwera and the Vice President Saulos Chilima signed a commitment to the Women’s Manifesto to ensure women’s rights are protected and promoted should they win the election.