‘Evidence-based advocacy policies crucial’

Malawi Carer director Dr Vera Chirwa has asked stakeholders to come up with evidence-based advocacy of policies or laws that are conforming to gender-related issues.

Chirwa made the remarks at Sunbird Ku Chawe in Zomba on Saturday when she opened a two-day meeting for a committee to look into gender-related laws.

“This gathering will come up with [the way forward on] how many gender-related instruments have been ratified and how many have been domesticated. I hope that this meeting will be able to identify policies, bills that are gathering dust at Capital Hill or other offices and see the way forward,” she said.

In her remarks, director for the Centre for Conflict Management and Women Development Affairs (Cecowda), Carol Mvalo, said they wanted to solicit expert information on the gender gaps in various pieces of legislation and inadequacies that exist in terms of absence or unavailability of enabling legislation.

Participants to the meeting included representatives of the Malawi Law Commission, Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender.