MALAWI: Catholic Women Organization Join Calls for End of Violence Against Women, Children and the Elderly
Fr. mwakhwawa addressing delegates
Luke Chimwanza
Catholic women in Malawi under the banner Catholic Women Organization (CWO) who joined civil society organizations and others people in condemning acts of violence on women, children and the elderly have vowed to take all necessary steps to present their concerns to Government so that it gets to the bottom of the matter.
National chairperson for CWO Mrs. Lucy Vokhiwa said this on Wednesday November 12, 2020, at Nantipwiri Pastoral Centre in the Archdiocese of Blantyre at the end of a three-day meeting for the organization’s chairpersons, patrons and advisors from all the eight dioceses in the country.
The meeting was reviewing progress of various projects of the CWO is undertaking and also planning for their forthcoming Annual General Meeting slated for next month, December 2020.
While commending the positive progress of their projects, Vokhiwa sighted Covid-19 and acts of violence against women, children and elderly as major challenges that have frustrated their programs this far.
“It is sad to note that there is still in this age increasing number of violence against women, cases of rape and killings of the elderly on allegations of witchcraft, this is very worrisome. As we go for an AGM next month, let me promise that we’ll do everything possible to channel our concerns to appropriate authorities for action. We therefore commend those that have done their part and assure them of our support,” she said.
CWO patron at the National Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Father Vincent Mwakhwawa hailed the women for the various initiatives and interventions they are doing in the country.
He asked them to be vigilant in safeguarding their rights and those of the children and the elderly.
The women started their meeting with a day-long spiritual retreat aimed seeking Divine interventions in their work and programs.
