Peter Mutharika hails women faith-based organisations
President Peter Mutharika has called upon his fellow African leaders to support efforts by women faith-based organisations, saying the bodies have important missions in addressing challenges that Africa is facing.
Mutharika was speaking at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe at the official opening of the World Union of Catholic Women Organisation (WUCWO) conference where he was guest of honour.
He said he was pleased to note that WUCWO is taking forward the mission of women in development with the conference having a serious agenda for the attention of the continent.
“It is pleasing to note that this conference will focus on the global agenda that we care about across the continent, and as a country. We are urged to care about those in the agony of diseases, and suffering the pain of war.
“We are convicted to act for those whose future is doomed because they cannot go to school. We are urged to remember that religious ethos have a place in our heart for development. Above all, we are urged to remember the place of women in development,” said Mutharika.
The Malawi president also said if Africa is to make progress, Africans must confront the questions of the youth and poverty, gender equality and women empowerment.
“We must confront the problem of children and trafficking–because our children are the reason why the future exists. In all our challenges, we must frankly seek the spirit of dialogue, peace and justice. All these matter in our quest for poverty reduction,” Mutharika said.
Chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Bishop Thomas Msusa, who presided over a Eucharist celebration at the stadium, said the partnership between the church and the state in the promotion of women’s affairs is important.
“The Catholic Women Organisation and the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare have therefore endeavoured to prepare topics that will be presented and discussed, with focus on the implementation of the outcomes of the Commission on the Status of Women,” said Msusa.
WUCWO president for the African region, Rosaline Menga Nganku said the church is very concerned about issues which affect women and children which include trafficking, water and sanitation and climate change.
These are some issues which will also be discussed during the conference which will end with a mass to be graced by First Lady Gertrude Mutharika.
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