The visiting Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during an audience with His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

The visiting Secretary General said apart from strides in eliminating early marriages the country is equally doing well in women empowerment which holds key to national development.

She said it is also pleasing to note that the country is putting more emphasis in moving from aid to trade for enhanced economic growth.

In his remarks, President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika said government will continue to share the Commonwealth goal of moving from aid to trade.

“The Commonwealth has been an integral part of Malawi since our independence in 1964. The Commonwealth has contributed to Malawi’s human and economic development, through the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights, good governance and has been a voice for our development issues.

“Malawi shares the Commonwealth Development Agenda as one way of moving away from Aid to Trade and Investment. I therefore wish to thank the Secretariat’s support together with the European Union for championing Malawi’s voice in trade negotiations under the Hub and Spokes II Programme which will help in achieving Malawi’s trade development,” said Mutharika.

On women empowerment, Professor Mutharika said he is glad to see Malawi making strides in putting women in influential decision making positions citing the appointment of 5 female commissioners for MEC out of 9.

He also assured the Commonwealth that he will continue to give women a chance in leadership positions. Professor Mutharika also appealed to the Commonwealth to be Malawi's voice to the European Union after Brexit.

“My Government has championed legal changes to outlaw child marriage and protect women through the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Law 2015. We hope under your leadership, there will be a specific economic empowerment programme for women in rural areas that can create wealth and lift them out of poverty. As the UK is leaving the European Union, we also hope that the Commonwealth Secretariat will take a lead in making Africa as a priority destination for British investment and partnerships that will build upon our historical, trade and political ties,” explained Mutharika.

The Malawi leader further said it is the wish of his government to put the youth at the centre of development as they constitute 70 percent of the Commonwealth population.