The government of Malawi has commended the role played by Faith Based Organizations in the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015.
This was said by the Minister for Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Dr. Jean Kalilani during the opening of a national awareness conference on the role of Catholic Women Organization (CWO) in the implementation of SDGs as it prepares to host the African Region Conference of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations-WUCWO in August this year.
Dr Kalilani said that religious organizations play a critical role in governance policies, peace and security, gender equality and women empowerment.
“I am happy to learn that the conference has been organized to reflect and identify the role of the Catholic Women Organization in achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals for Malawi, with focus on Goal 5, which is Gender Equality and Women Empowerment,” said Kalilani.
Group Photo of the Workshop Participants
She said that the conference which was organized by her Ministry also aims at determining the opportunities of working with Catholic Women Organization in promoting the socio-economic empowerment of women in Malawi within the framework of the SDGs.
Speaking on behalf of Bishop Peter Musikuwa, Chairman of the Lay Apostolate under which CWO falls, Acting National Pastoral Coordinator at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Rev. Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa said that the conference organized by the Ministry of Gender which targeted Catholic Women was timely as it was a platform for a successful WUCWO conference.
“I saw that the theme of your forthcoming Conference is: Women of Africa, Proclaimers of God’s
Participants paying attention to the workshop proceedings
Mercy. This is a very good and well-chosen theme since it reminds African women of their important mission and calls them to discharge it with seriousness,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, the national Chairlady for CWO, Bernadette Chiwaya expressed gratitude to the government of Malawi especially the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and its partners for their generous support and involvement for the preparations for the August conference.
The conference was also attended by Former First Lady of Malawi Madam Callista Mutharika and Dr. Mary Shaba who are all members of the CWO.
By Prince Henderson ECM Communications officer; Photo Credit: Williams Mponda-ECM’s Audiovisual Officer