The Council & Diplomats Committee of Women Empowerment & Development Society in Asia- Africa has named Former President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda Honorary Chair of Women Empowerment and Development Society.
According to a statement released by the Office of Former President, Dr Banda’s choice as the Honorary Chair is hinged on her outstanding achievement in the field of women development, capacity building and corporation.
Among other things, She will lead discussions against, discrimination and limitations on women and girls, join forces with others against gender-based violence and abuse.
Further she will be responsible in supporting full effective participation and equal opportunity for women and girls in leadership in all aspects of life and ensuring that all women and girls have access to quality learning, and sharing examples of real life women and girls who are making a difference every day.
Dr Banda, is also expected to help Asian and African Women improve their ability to adapt to the development of the times and enhance their social status through publicity and education on women development, academic exchanges and personal training.
She was the first Female President in Malawi and served from 2012-2014 as she is credited for turning the country’s economy round after finding it on the verge of collapse in 2012, when she took the saddle of leadership.
During her time, Malawi’s rate of economic growth rose from 1.8% in 2012 to over 6.2% in 2014 with the country’s operational industrial capacity improving from 35% in 2012 to 85% in July 2014, and the foreign exchange import cover was increased from one week to three and half months in July 2014.
Prior to assuming office, she served as a Member of Parliament, Minister of Gender and Child Welfare, Foreign Minister and Vice President of the Republic of Malawi as she championed the enactment of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill (2006) as Minister of Gender and Child Welfare which provided the legal framework to support the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
She established the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood, which spearheaded the fight against high maternal mortality rates and the promotion of safe motherhood in Malawi and during her presidency, Malawi registered considerable success in the areas of maternal and child health, reducing the maternal mortality ratio from 675 deaths per 100,000 live births to 460 a reduction of 32%.
The former Malawi leader, is also an entrepreneur, an activist, and philanthropist.
