The Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and social welfare with support from UNFPA Malawi have launched the 2013 Gender Equality Act Implementation and monitoring plan with a call to reach out to the vulnerable and promote gender equality in all sectors of the society.

Speaking during the launch, the Minister responsible, Mrs. Patricia Kaliati called upon all implementing partners to ensure women and other affected population are visibly participating as well as being assisted. “We must ensure that all women benefit from the activities in this plan because they are the ones who face the challenged every day; young girls continue to be exploited and sexually abused as well as being married off while young; we need to mobilize as more women and men as possible to fight ills that arise from gender inequality” she said

Mrs. Kaliati also called upon the development partners to assist Government in creating an identity for women and girls who have been empowered and are recognized in their community in the area of gender equality.

Deputy Representative for UNFPA, Dr. Rogaia Abdelrahim appreciated the relationship that has existed between UNFPA and the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Gender. She pledged to work together with the Ministry to address gender inequality problems that exist in Malawi. “The fight against poverty must be based on the realisation of human rights for women and men. The contribution of both men and women must be acknowledged. Women must be able to take part in societal decision making and welfare development on the same footing as men. This will require an active effort to strengthen women’s rights, participation and influence. At UNFPA, we firmly believe in a future where gender equality and women empowerment is achievable, children, youth and women are free from violence, safe, growing healthy, strong, educated, attain their full potential and well-being and fully contributing to their societies.   I look forward to continuing this partnership to achieve our shared goals” she said.

The Gender Equality Act Implementation and monitoring Plan follows the launch of the Act in 2013 and is a product of the work that UNFPA, Government and the Malawi Human Rights Commission have been doing with funding from the European Union. It is estimated that about 52% of the Malawi’s population is comprised of women and gender inequality is still high.