Dear Editor,
I write to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Chakwera for appointing women in the cabinet to the requisite standard of 40% as envisaged under section 11 of the Gender Equality Act, 2016. The Act provides that “notwithstanding anything contained in the Public Service Act and subject to subsection (2), an appointing or recruiting authority in the public service shall appoint no less than forty percent and no more than sixty percent of either sex in any department in the public service. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply where— (a) a member of either sex applying for the post, does not hold the minimum relevant educational qualifications or experience for the post; (b) a member of either sex offered the post has not accepted the offer; or (c) a member of either sex with the relevant educational qualifications or experience required for the post was not available or could not be identified for the post.”
It is good to learn about this development and instead of being on the complaining side, this time, things have happened in the right manner. Therefore the president needs our commendation and to encourage him to do more than that.
Among other women in the cabinet are Abida Sidik Mia, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Halima Daudi, Vera Kamtukule, Agness Nyalonje, Jean Sendeza, Kakhobwe, etc.
Bravo to the appointing authority.