President Peter Mutharika on Friday opened first meeting of the 48th Session of Parliament and the 2019/2020 budget meeting in Lilongwe despite being disrupted for over 30 minutes by opposition parliamentarian.

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) entitled Consolidating Our Gains for Rapid Transformation, President Mutharika discussed on the need to empower women, children and the country`s majority population of the youth.

Among other key areas, the Malawi leader said his government will diligently work on supporting women and ending child marriages.

“My Government has strengthened legal and policy environment on women empowerment, ending violence against women and child marriages,” said Mutharika.

On youth empowerment, the Malawi leader said his government will offer jobs to all the young people under the government internship programme in different ministries, departments and agencies.

According to President Mutharika, government will ensure that young people in the country have access to affordable loans to able them operate various businesses.

On women empowerment, Mutharika said the DPP led administration has strengthened legal and policy environment on women empowerment, ending violence against women and child marriages.

On this, the First Citizen congratulated the 43 women elected into the National Assembly in the recent election citing that it is a testimony of his efforts on women empowerment.

“As you are aware, I am the champion of gender parity, women empowerment and uplifting of women’s rights.  These are prerequisites for sustainable development in Malawi,” added Mutharika.

In addition, Mutharika said his government has taken crucial steps to ensuring that women are appointed into administrative positions.

“We have also taken concrete steps to ensure that women are appointed into decision-making and other positions of influence,” said Mutharika.