An influential and vocal women rights campaigner Emma Kaliya has expressed excitement at President Lazarus Chakwera’s decision to appoint Marylin Yolamu as the new Inspector General of Police.
Yolamu becomes the second female to head the Malawi police service after the late Mary Nangwale whose appointment back in 2004 was turned down by parliament.
On Friday, Chakwera appointed Yolamu as the new Inspector General of Police replacing George Kainja who was sacked some weeks ago after he was implicated in the Zunneth Sattar corruption saga.
Reacting to Yolamu’s appointment, Kaliya praised Chakwera saying the move has shown serious commitment towards fulfilling the Gender Equality Act.
“The president never stops to surprise us. Just some few weeks ago we were celebrating the appointment of Miss Colleen Zamba as the new SPC and now here we are the president has given us a female IG, just the second one in the history of this country. The news doesn’t come sweeter like this,” said Kaliya.
Kaliya has since urged the president to continue appointing women in influential positions.
Since assuming the presidency Chakwera has appointed women in various influential positions the Accountant General, Ombudsman, ACB Director General and Secretary to President cabinet.