The Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has urged the District Executive Committee (DEC) in Chikwawa to take a lead in the implementation of the national male engagement strategy.

The strategy, which was launched by the ministry last year, seeks to actively engage males in gender equality, gender-based violence, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and HIV and AIDS among others.

Speaking during one of the dissemination meetings in Chikwawa on Thursday, Principal Gender and Development Officer in the ministry, Japhet Chirwa said the DEC and Technical Working Groups need to be committed in the implementation of the strategy in order to have a transformed society.

In her remarks, District Manager of Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) in Chikwawa, Mabel Makondetsa hailed the ministry for the drive and said as an organisation they are committed to incorporating the strategy into their programming.

The Ministry has so far conducted the exercise in 16 days.