Women Manifesto Movement NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) Chairperson Barbara Banda has applauded President Lazarus Chakwera for responding well to its call to bring back the ministry of gender on the list of ministries.

Banda’s remark comes after Chakwera announced that he has directed the chief secretary to reinstate the ministry following an outcry on the same.

According to Banda, this is a clear indication of political will to promote gender issues in the country.

“This is a welcome development and it shows that we have a listening president who is already to promote things related to gender,” she said.

A 31 cabinet member list attracted critics from the Movement after it was noted that the Ministry of Gender was scrapped from president Chakwera’s newly appointed cabinet list, saying it is not valuing accountability on gender issues in the country.

Meanwhile, the movement says it is looking forward to meeting with the newly appointed minister to discuss delaying and emerging issues.