Malawi Minister of Gender Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati has been praised by the general malawian public across the country for her commitment and diligent work. Most of the people said that she has a proven record of work ethic as she has constantly performed very well in all her previous ministerial positions that she has held.
In Malawi, about 46 percent of girls are married before the legal age of 18 and almost ten percent get married before their 15th birthday (statistics by United Nation’s Children’s Charity Unicef).
‘Akweni’ as she is fondly known by the malawian public, has been travelling across the country trying to reverse the early marriages trend and have them annulled.
As heard speaking on BBC radio, minister Kaliati said, “school closures as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown may have contributed to a rise in child marriages. The harmful practice is often associated with poor education, lack of employment opportunities and the belief that girls are inferior to boys.”
Also writing on her Facebook page, Akweni said, “we thank God that some people are able to appreciate what we are doing. We know there is a lot we should do to rescue our children especially girls from early marriages and also to end poverty in the struggle to make Malawi a better nation. To all those who want to join, whether organisations, groups or individuals, come, let’s work together.”
