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Kaliati hits at men on Women’s Day

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati on Tuesdayhit out at men who spend time on social media instead of having quality time with their wives.

Speaking during commemoration of International Women’s Day in Nkhata Bay, Kaliati said some men spend most of their time chatting on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and working on their computers, ignoring their wives.

Kaliati (2nd R) joins the Honala dance with her principal secretary Mary Shaba (R) and others
Kaliati (2nd R) joins the Honala dance with her principal secretary
Mary Shaba (R) and others

She said: “You are on your WhatsApp while your wife is there beside you. Is that why you married her? Stop that and go to bed with your wives.” Kaliati also asked men to stop abusing women. She invited to the podium some men present at the function.

Quoting the Bible, the minister said it was clear that the Scriptures did not call upon women to love their husbands, but men to love their wives and the women to be submissive.

She said: “For some time now, we have been referring to men as children; but I think it is now time to call them soil because that is where we were made from their [men’s] ribs. Tatopa nawo akuzolowera [We have had enough of their abuse].”

During the function, the minister also launched the National Gender Policy Second Edition. It has a commitment letter for stakeholders to sign to promote women’s rights.

In her address, NGO-Gender Coordinating Network executive director Emma Kaliya asked police to not only arrest parents who marry off their children under the age of 16, but to also arrest their marriage counsellors.

“Enough is enough. Let us do something about child marriages,” she said.

Kaliya also asked the United Nations arms responsible for women and children to fund gender activities which have lost steam because of lack of funding.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event, United Nations Women chief for Africa section Anthony Ngororano said the most important thing in an environment characterised by reduction in funds is value for money.

International Women’s Day is commemorated on March 8 every year. This year the day was celebrated under the theme Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.

 

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