By Cedric Nkungula
Malawi’s First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera through her Shaping Our Future Foundation (SOFF) on Friday hosted women in various leadership positions from both public and private sector to a breakfast meeting where they shared notes on how to improve girl child education in the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Madam Chakwera said great things happen when women work together.
“Great things happen when there is unity of purpose, unity of spirit and unity of mind,” emphasized Madam Chakwera.
“By now most of you know that the cause of the girl child education for me is a calling and not just something I want to do as first lady.”
On this note, the first lady requested the women to join her to turn the tide of early child marriages in the country by making sure that girls stay in school.
The first lady explained that for Malawi to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), girls must be protected, educated, empowered and in good health.
The SOFF Patron added that when a girl child is empowered with the right education, skills and opportunities, they can greatly contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
“Mother’s that are economically empowered are the weapon we need inorder to break the cycle of poverty as a country. This is what drives my passion for girls education. No girl child should fail to realize her potential because of lack of school fees or necessities at school,” she said.
In her remarks, NBS Bank Deputy Chief Executive Officer Temwani Simwaka called on the women leaders to also use the platform to get to know each other and grow their careers.
She thanked the first lady for her untiring effort to ensure that girl child receives the necessary support to stay in school.