Ntcheu, March 23: In a bid to promote women’s rights for them to be self reliant and contribute effectively towards the country’s development, Concern Universal Tuesday organized a commemoration of International Women Day for Ntcheu women at Austin Village in the area of Senior Chief Makwangwala in the district.
Speaking during the ceremony which attracted women from the local community, government and nongovernmental organizations, Concern Universal Coordinator for Cross Cutting Issues under the organization’s Local Development Support Programme, Gift Munthali said his organization decided to organize the function to raise awareness on the need for women to be self reliant.
“Self reliance amongst women can become a catalyst towards women’s rights observation and enhancement,” said Munthali.
He said women and girls should be protected from human rights violations as they are supposed to enjoy their rights fully besides their vulnerability.
Munthali then expressed concern over the tendency by some parents and village heads in promoting early marriages, a development which he said makes the girls and boys not to develop to their full potential both intellectually, mentally and physically.
“Such a malpractice contributes to human rights abuse which have long lasting impact on the lives of both boys and girls when they grow into adults,” said Munthali.
He then advised parents and guardians to encourage their children both girls and boys to go to school, saying such a strategy could also contribute to reducing child marriages.
In his remarks, Ntcheu District Commissioner, Harry Phiri commended Concern Universal for organizing the function which he said would go a long way in addressing the plight of women in the district.
“Such type of functions are supposed to be facilitated by government departments but in most cases we do not manage due to inadequate resources, hence the need for other organizations to emulate the gesture set by Concern Universal,” said Phiri.
International Women Day is commemorated globally on March 8 every year.
