The organizations digital Feminist Engagement officer for valuing women's work Leah Katuya made the remarks in Mzimba on Friday during the commemoration of this year International Women's Day under the theme ' Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress'.

Katuya said there is need to increase funding towards interventions that promote women empowerment like giving them access to grants for them to be stand alone economically.

"As a country we are facing the challenge of public debt where the people who support us put stringent measures for repayment hence this impacts negatively on interventions that can support women empowerment," said Katuya.

She said it's in this vein that Action Aid Malawi is providing grants through it's women forums across the country to ensure their economic empowerment

Queen Mwandila one of the beneficiaries from such interventions says she is now knowledgeable in the economic affairs of the country and has acquired business skills.

"Action Aid Malawi is empowering us on our rights and advocating for our rights in terms of microeconomic policies in the country and doing a lot of businesses on our own as women so that we are able to stand alone economically," said Mwandila.

In her remarks at the same ceremony First Lady Monica Chakwera echoed similar sentiments that existing financial gaps are a major set back towards women empowerment.

The First Lady called on donors, NGOs and other partners to double their efforts towards investing in women in education and political cycles.

Meanwhile UN Resident Coordinator Rabbeca Adda Dontoh reaffirmed commitment towards ending gender inequalities in the country.

Adda Dontoh bemoaned the 0.2% allocation to gender issues in this year's national budget saying it means the country has a long way to go to achieve women empowerment.

The International Women's day which falls on 8 March every year was held under the theme 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress'