The Catholic Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has spoken strongly against those elements in the Church and society that degrade a woman and disfigure her God given dignity and equality alongside man.

"Women have the right to equal opportunities in education, training, employment, remuneration, inheritance and owning property," the bishop's conference said.

They said that women are also often denied participation in the decision making process in the family, in the Church and in society.

They said this during the opening of a meeting to discuss the domestication of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), as well as advocating for the passing of Gender related bills in an Act of Parliament.

The Secretary General of Episcopal conference Fr George Buleya said, "Gender equality is a justice issue not an issue of charity. We should all remember that before works of charity are the demands of Justice."

Recognizing the dignity of women will mean increasing their social, political, economic and spiritual strength both individually and collectively as well as removing the obstacles that penalize women and prevent them from fully integrating themselves into various sections of society.

A representative from Malawi Law Society (MLS) assured the members that domestication of international instruments particularly in the area of women and children is the