Women groups hail Cabinet appointments

NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) and Women’s Manifesto Movement have hailed President Lazarus Chakwera for ensuring a 60:40 male and female representation in the Cabinet.

In separate statements the two groups issued, they say the Cabinet composition adheres to the provisions of the Gender Equality Act (2013).

The Act states that there should not be more than 60 percent and not less than 40 percent representation of either sex in public appointments.

NGO-GCN commended Chakwera for the 60:40 ratio, adding the President’s statement pertaining to the appointments demonstrates that this is not an accidental compliance, but rather a product of informed politics.

The network’s statement reads in part: “The achieved compliance, having come after many years of resilient advocacy pertaining to the same, has rekindled and affirmed trust in the Presidency’s openness and responsiveness to the contributions of NGO-GCN, among many like-minded stakeholders within the civic space.”

The Women’s Manifesto Movement also commended Chakwera for increasing their number as full ministers from four to seven.

The movement says the female ministers have also been entrusted with key ministries.

“Having a Cabinet of 40 percent women representation indicates the President’s commitment towards gender equality in the country.

“We believe the inclusion of more women in the Cabinet will result in gender transformative budgets, policies and programmes,” reads the Women Manifesto Movement’s statement.

However, the two organisation have called on government to ensure that the 60:40 ratio applies in all public appointments and recruitments.

In an interview yesterday, Minister of Information and Digitisation Gospel Kazako said the current government believes in inclusion.

He said women representation has been prioritised in a number of areas, including diplomatic service.

Kazako said: “Just as we have always requested Malawians to be patient as we change, transform and reconstruct this country, it is equally the situation on matters of gender.

“We have started. This is a process that will see us achieving more in the government wide administration.”

The 60:40 ratio helps to ensure that women are empowered to be in decision-making positions.