Page 26 - WATER SECTOR MAGAZINE VOLUME 3

WASAMA launches Women in Water- Malawi Chapter

By STAFF WRITER

Water Services Association of Malawi
(WASAMA) on Friday June 23, 2017
launched the Women in Water-Malawi
Chapter as one way of uplifting abilities
of local women working in the Water,
Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The
launch of the Malawi Chapter of the
global Women in Water Network marked
the climax of the first ever workshop for
women working in the sector organized
by WASAMA in Lilongwe.

During the launch, the Malawi Chapter The participants pose for a group photo
elected office bearers to lead the women
as they reposition themselves in the sector
with Lessa Banda from Lilongwe Water
Board (LWB) being ushered in as the first
Chairperson of the group while Phidelia
Moyo from the Ministry of Agriculture,
Irrigation and Water Development is her
Vice, Tessa Phoya from Southern Region
Water Board (SRWB) is the Secretary, and
Engineer Jacqueline Dias also from SRWB
is the Treasurer.
Speaking during the official opening of a
workshop, Director of Water Resources in
the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and
Water Development Modesta Kanjaye,
who was the Guest of Honour, observed
that lack of universal access to water
is one of the fundamental failures of
development in the 21st century which
unfortunately affects most women and
she said this the right time for women to
take a lead in the efforts to achieve access The Guest of Honour, Modesta Kanjaye and Priscilla Mateyu the director of ceremonies
to clean water for all.

“Women do not only disproportionately
bear the burden of lack of safe water but
also have the least opportunity to take
part in decision making regarding water
services. I believe that through this Forum
such grievances will be addressed and
women will find a way forward to solve
their challenges,” she said.

WASAMA Executive Secretary Ben
Chakhame said it is high time that women
in water profession come together to
discuss issues which are usually left The new Women in Water-Malawi Chapter office bearers
out and can be best handled by women in Water-Malawi Chapter, among others The Chapter has a membership from all
themselves. He noted that a woman’s aims at promoting and encouraging women working in various capacities
touch to every sphere of life is a blessing, women’s participation in WASH activities, across the WASH sector that include water
unfortunately for a long time women have develop capacities of women to lobby utility companies, non-governmental
been left out. for equal opportunities and encourage organizations, institutions of high
networking. learning, and government departments,
Chakhame said formation of the Women among others.
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