MRA officers at the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) Station in Lilongwe joined a colourful commemoration centred on the roles women play in society which was hosted by First Lady Dr. Gertrude Mutharika. She was accompanied by the second lady Madame Mary Chilima.

The event took place on Thursday, March 16, 2017 and was attended by senior Government officials.

MRA’s KIA Station Manager Hellen Mbukwa said the highlight of the day was welcoming an all-female crew staffed Malawian Airlines flight led by Captain Yolanda Kaunda and First Officer Lusekelo Mwenifumbo.

“The flight was from Chileka International Airport to Dar es Salaam via Kamuzu International Airport. All stakeholders operating at the airport were requested to allow only women staff in Civil Aviation, Immigration, Customs, Banks, Ground Handling and all related services to serve passengers on this flight in their various roles,” said Mbukwa.

In her address, the First Lady fully recognised the work during the day which was marshalled by women starting from the control-tower to ground handling.

“We are gathered here to pay tribute to the role women play in society. Just last week we were celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030’. Here in Malawi we celebrated the Day under the localized theme ‘Closing the Gender Gap in the World of Work by 2030’. The theme calls on all of us to double our effort to create a more gender-inclusive society,” Dr. Mutharika said.

She noted that the aviation sector has been a predominantly male dominated since first airplane took to the skies in 1903.

“Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, join me in saluting Yolanda and Lusekelo for breaking the record. You have done us proud by increasing diversity in the cockpit. You have set the pace in closing the gender gap in the aviation industry in Malawi.

“Let me also salute the women who have successfully operated the Air Traffic Control Tower. Yes, you have demonstrated that Women can, and yes we can.

I also wish to appreciate the beautiful and hardworking women who have successfully handled all operations in the Check-in, Customer care, and Ground handling areas, and your services is not only expected, it is also exceptional, this is extraordinary,” the First Lady said.

Press reports indicate that Malawian Airline Chief executive Officer, Ahadu Simachew, stressed that the company is focused on contributing towards creating a more gender inclusive world in which women are given a chance and support to thrive in male dominated fields.

BY HENRY MCHAZIME