This follows the launch of 2014 SADC Gender Barometer report which outlines the progress Malawi has achieved in relation to gender mainstreaming.

Malawi is party to the SADC gender protocol that looks at constitutions and policies of nations as regards gender disparities.

Officially launching the report, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social welfare Hon Patricia Kaliati said government is committed that gender mainstreaming in the country takes effect.

“We are committed as government to see women achieving their goals in the country through activities that are aimed at promoting women participation in all sectors of life.

The appointment of His Excellency the State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika as champion for the he-for-she campaign is a sign that the mainstreaming work has enough political will,” said Kaliati.

In her remarks, Chairperson of NGO/Gender-GCN Emma Kaliya said Malawi needs to be proud of the achievement she has made in achieving some of the gender goals that were set in 2009 by SADC.

“Malawi has made great strides and these new goals will help us achieve more because all that we need is to put in more efforts,” said Kaliya.

Meanwhile commentators have urged Malawi to do better in future after noting that currently the country has 32 female members of Parliament only out of a total of 193 seats.

During the launch, a number of organizations and media practitioners were awarded for their outstanding works on gender mainstreaming.

Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ) radio came up as the best resource centre while the Best Print Journalist award went to Rabbeca Chimjeka of Nation Publications and the Best Television Journalist award went to Simeon Shumba of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.

These winners are expected to compete further in Botswana on a regional level in August this year.