Women in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe have committed to draw themselves even closer to children especially the girl-child in a quest to protect them from all forms of abuse.

The women, under the banner of Catholic Women Association (CWA), have also pledged to begin monitoring how children are now using and consuming technological advancement.

This came out at a four-day Annual General Meeting for CWA membership of the Archdiocese drawn from its’ seven denaries which was held at Children of the Nation in Likuni Denary.

“Wards needs not to be left un attended or sorely in the hands of care takers. Catholic Women have a great role in protecting children from abuse and harassment. It is important that they understand the different forms of abuse so that they do not take situations for granted,” said Sr. Teresa Mulenga, a Teresian Sister who facilitated one discussion topics on safeguarding policy and Gender-based Violence (GBV).

The discussion dwelt on gender-based violence (GBV), its’ types, causes, where it occurs and its’ effects. The participants were invited to look at signs and types of harassment, reporting procedures and how they can prevent children and vulnerable adults from these vices.

In the discussion, men and women were called on to collaborate to end GBV and women were asked to promote dialogue in the family and contribute to family economic development.

“Most of the times children are abused by family members...step fathers, and other extended family members… and; since parents are busy up-and-down it takes long for them to realize what the children are experiencing. Unfortunately most mothers again are not ready to report immediate family members even if they are caught red-handed.

“It was also observed that what affects parents physically, emotionally,... negativity affects children in different aspects including their cognitive development. In cases of abuse, parents should ensure perpetrators are immediately reported to authorities,” recalls Sr. Mulenga.

The meeting, which drew at least 200 CWA member-leaders, was exposed to an understanding of the problem of Diabetes and high blood pressure in a discussion facilitated by Dr. Tyness Kulombe; parenting and living holy lives as parents; resource mobilization and self-reliance by Mathews Njolomole, spirituality in CWA by Fr. John Chibweza……

Malawi continues to face a gender divide across all sectors despite gains made in some areas.

Women continue to suffer the effects of the gender divide. The United Nations actually puts Malawi at position 142 of 166 countries on the gender inequality index.

Despite women and girls being in majority, they face disproportionate inequality challenges and have unequal economic opportunities compared to their male counterparts such that GBV cases affecting women and girls are more than those affecting men and boys.

These disparities have not spared the Catholic Church which covers about 30 per cent of the total Christian population, with two archdioceses and six dioceses. Women constitute 55 per cent of the church-membership consequently considered the heart of the church.

However, Catholic women gender-related-challenges that affect their active engagement in church and society activities are due to patriarchal cultural and traditional norms that limit their participation to reproductive roles. GBV, therefore, is a significant obstacle for them in Malawi.

Here is where the Council of Teresian Sisters partnered with CWA to address the challenges through awareness on the advancement of women’s spiritual and economic empowerment, and gender transformative awareness.

The women-participants came from the archdiocesan denaries of Dowa, Madisi, Maula, Mchinji, Mtima Woyera, Likuni, Salima and the CWA archdiocesan leadership for Lilongwe.