The Catholic Diocese of Mangochi  through Bishop Montfort Stima has called for the empowerment of women, saying they should be equipped with various skills to enable them participate effectively in the country’s socio-economic development.

The call was made recently during activities staged to mark the commemoration of International Women’s Day at St. John the Baptist Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) University in Mangochi.

Stima said women can play a very crucial role in developing the nation if they were empowered with requisite skills to take part in activities of developing the country in different aspects.

“Although the reality on the ground is that more women contribute to the household’s food basket, most of them do not own land,” said Stima.

The bishop added that women also face violence and oppression due to the negative perception manifested through cultural and religious orientation.