BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) in Malawi under commonwealth has launched a new organisation aiming at increasing women participation in all aspects of life as another way of empowering women and fighting gender bias.
The Inter-Party Gender Action Group (IGAG) is said to have made its first appearance and existence in Malawi witnessed by its grand launch at Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima.
Speaking on her opening speech , the renowned female politician Patricia Kaliati who is also UTM’s secretary general said that the coming of IGAG means that there is still a big gap between men and women in positions and that the environment has for so long favored men as they are more likely to hold highest positions.
She further stressed that IGAG has come in time and remains crucial as this platform will bring women together despite their different party colors and social backgrounds.
The IGAG settles to give a chance to scrutinize the common challenges we face on our way up the political ladder and map up how we can deal with each of those as women.
“I therefore urge all women present today that we should take IGAG seriously and we should lobby for gender equality and women inclusion at the Centre of every level within our parties, it’s a new path and hope for women’’ Added Kaliati
One of the facilitators of the three day workshop Ehizefua Edeh expressed satisfaction on the training saying will benefits many women
She also emphasized on the need of creating a working environment conducive for women thus ensuring that women harassment and all abuse that fall under gender differences are denounced and discouraged at all cost.
Speaking on the same workshop the UDF representative Ellen Kadango thanked CMD and IGAG for remembering women especially in this time when they are highly forgotten
Also in the workshop were directors of women from various political parties and other stakeholders.
CMD is said to have initiated the idea via Commonwealth and also considers about holding similar workshops across Africa.
