Turn back the hands of time. It is 2009 when talk of 50/50 representation is on the lips of almost every well-meaning Malawian to correct the gender disparities.

The immediate goal is to see female MPs in Parliament with the hope that it will trigger change of women's status in Malawi. If they occupy positions to make decisions, our country would be on the right path to development.

But talk of 50/50 representation without looking at the foundation of success is as useless. The girl child is the starting point of that success and creating an environment conducive for girls' education is a must.

Sadly, the advocates of 50/50 representation seem to ignore the girls and when we read that girls continue to be defiled, killing their future in the process, we question the credibility of the whole 50/50 campaign.

One cannot but wonder, whether the 50/50 campaign is founded on genuine concerns and conviction that sustainable development can only take place if women are empowered or it is just a money spin¬ning gimmick by its advocates.

Are these campaigners pro-active that they would work to build the future of girls or they are re-active meaning they only appear on the scene when girls are defiled.

There is a huge gap between the reality on the ground and the wish of the campaigners of the 50/50 representation. In public and at podiums they grandstand with high sounding words for the girl child but beyond that nothing. We believe protecting the girl child and encouraging girl child education are the cardinal steps in ensuring 50/50 representation in future.

It is, therefore, deplorable and recondite that grand-parents or parents whose duty is to provide foundation for the success of their children are the ones destroying that future. The courts must be decisive in punishing the offenders like the grand parent whose story is in this edition.