MANAonline
Maliya Women commended for resilience
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, September 21, Mana: United Nations (UN) Women Country Representative to Malawi, Letty Chiwara, has expressed satisfaction with the way Maliya Women Groups in Blantyre are responding to Women’s Resilience to Disasters (WRD) programme.
Chiwara made the remarks Thursday during a monitoring visit by Second Secretary for the Australian High Commission to three WRD programme activities at Maliya Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Kuntaja in the district.
She said the training given to the women by Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE) in partnership with Christian Aid has made a positive impact to their families and the communities.
“In this tour, we have witnessed women’s resilience and hard work in this comprehensive initiative which touches on agriculture, climate smart agriculture systems, agriculture innovative systems and economic empowerment for women,” she said.
Chiwara said it is important for women in Malawi to be resilient to disasters as they experience disasters almost on annual basis.
“Over the years, the narrative has been women suffer most from disasters but what WRD is doing is changing that narrative where we have women as change agents who can make the communities ready to deal with any disaster,” she said.
According to Chiwara, UN came up with the project because of the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
Chiwara recalled that she visited a number of districts in the southern region when Cyclone Freddy had occurred which moved her to liaise with other partners in Geneva, managing WRD programme at global level to intervene in the situation in Malawi hence the initiative.
Chairperson for Maliya Irrigation Scheme, Elita Chingala, described the training by FOCESE and Christian Aid as very beneficial.
“In the past, we were practicing farming at family level but the returns were very marginal. Cultural norms which put men as the head of the family relegated to the sidelines in making some important decisions which is not the case now,” she said.
The women are expected to realize about K4 million from the sale of tomato which is in the field.
“The group will keep K1 million from the proceeds of tomato while the K3 million will be shared equally among the members to improve individual household economic status,” Chingala said.
Executive Director for FOCESE, Linda Masoo, said the primary beneficiary of project is a woman;
So far, the programme has reached out to 6,500 women with not less than K500 million.
“Women are mostly affected by disasters. So, if we don’t empower them to be resilient, we are killing the whole family,” she said.
WRD is a one year programme which started in June 2023 with funding from Australian Aid through the UN Women and is being implemented by Christian Aid in partnership with FOCESE.
MEC declares pilot registration exercise a success
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, September 20, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has described the just ended pilot voter registration exercise in as a huge success.
MEC Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, made the remarks at the end of the pilot registration exercise in Nsanje on Friday.
He said the aim of the activity was to test the electoral process and equipment to have a credible and perfect voter registration exercise for the 2025 general elections.
“The turn up was good though we can't compare to the actual voter registration. Basically, the reason was not to gauge the turn out but rather to test the process and equipment so that during registration exercise we should not have challenges with the process,” he said.
Mwafulirwa said the equipment has proved to be resilient and can work under different weather conditions, certifying it for the task.
Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira, said the pilot voter registration exercise was very crucial as it has managed to establish existing gaps.
Mwandira said some monitors at registration sites were failing to mention their party when asked.
“Through Multi-Party Liaison Committee, we are going to encourage political parties to civic educate their monitors including their roles during registration,” said Mwandira.
The pilot phase was done on September 18 and 19 in Nsanje, Chitipa, Lilongwe and Neno.
MEC is expected to roll out fresh voter registration exercise in October ahead of September 16, 2025 general elections.
Ntchisi authorities decry deforestation
By James Mwale
Ntchisi, September 20, Mana: Ntchisi District Council, chiefs and police have decried the pace at which charcoal burners are degrading land and have vowed to jointly work towards ending the vice.
The commitment was made Thursday at Senior Chief Nthondo Headquarters during a stakeholders’ high level meeting where it was established that Ntchisi Forest and part of Nkhotakota Game Reserve which share boundaries are the most affected.
The high level meeting follows an outcry which came during Station Executive Committee (SEC) meeting where Senior Chief Nthondo expressed his concern over rampant deforestation through burning of charcoal in his area.
The Senior Chief said his area was fast turning into a desert following thousands of trees which are being cut down daily with tones of charcoal being ferried from his area to urban areas.
He expressed disappointment with some unpatriotic villagers who shield culprits from Lilongwe and Nkhotakota and some chiefs who encourage the malpractice by being indirectly involved.
Officer in-Charge for Ntchisi Police Station, Deputy Commissioner Tiyese Chiumbuzo, said deforestation was the root of climate change and committed that his office was ready to enforce the law and work with the community.
"We needed to come and appreciate the situation first, thereafter map a way forward on how best we can work towards resolving the issue.
"As Police, we are ready to take an extra mile to solve the problem at hand," said Chiumbuzo.
The Officer-in-Charge further said that he will intensify joint patrols with forest officers and community leaders in order to curb the vice.
District Forest Officer for Ntchisi, Jim Lukwale, also affirmed the council’s commitment towards the cause, saying he was confident that the team work would bring an impactful outcome.
After the meeting, the authorities visited Ntchisi Forest to appreciate the situation on the ground where they found tonnes of charcoal bags waiting to be ferried to unknown destination.
Ministry of Gender for women participation in 2025 elections
By Agatha kadzinje
Blantyre, September 20, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has emphasized the need for capable young women and the youth to participate in the 2025 tripartite elections, as they are the future of the nation.
The ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Pauline Kaude, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview on Friday, that the ministry launched the Political Empowerment of Women Strategy which has activities encouraging participation of the youth, women and persons with disabilities in the upcoming election.
The strategy will be distributed in district councils.
“The initiative will help the youth, both male and females, to have an opportunity to participate in various positions in the coming elections without any difficulty,” Kaude said.
Kaude explained that youth and women in Malawi face social and cultural barriers to participating in politics, with financial challenges being the major factor restricting the involvement.
She disclosed that government, through the Political Empowerment of Women Program, coordinates all stakeholders involved in activities through Technical Working Group meeting.
Kaude added that the ministry supports development partners by engaging them on 40:60 gender quotas as provided in the Gender Equality Act through monitoring of political empowerment activities.
She stressed the need to raise awareness about the challenges young women and youth in general face in participating in politics.
“That is why stakeholders like OXFAM and Centre for Civil Society Strengthening have pledged to assist women contesting for Member of Parliament (MP) and Councilors position with payment of nomination fees. In the same vein, NGOs or CSOs will provide trainings and mentorship to aspiring women because funds from donors are channeled to NGOs or CSOs,” Kaude said.
A young aspiring MP in Lilongwe, who recently graduated from University of Malawi, Sheila Goodwell, said in an interview that she is motivated by the challenges her people are facing but lacks financial support for the campaign.
“I believe the problems in my area requires my attention as a leader. My people need someone with a strong passion for change. However, this is not easy for me because I need a lot of finances to properly campaign,” she said.
A 2022 report, The Status of Youth Participation in Political Parties in Malawi, by Green Forum together with Centre for Young Leaders in Africa, showed many youths fail to participate in politics due to lack of funding and prevalence of traditional structures.
St. Catherine Gwaza Catholic Church clocks 100 years of service
By Benedicto Maguda
Blantyre, September 20, Mana. St. Catherine Gwaza Catholic Church under St Lucia Chipini Parish in the Diocese of Zomba will celebrate 100 years of service on Sunday September 22 at the church premises in Zomba.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, Parish Priest for St. Lucia Chipini Parish Fr Michael Khomeni, said all preparations are under way and the celebration will start with Eucharist Mass from 8am.
“It is indeed true that the outstation is celebrating 100 years of service. The church has contributed a lot to the development of our parish. Christians shall have retreat on Saturday September 21 for them to prepare for the celebration spiritually and also to thank God for the 100 years. Fr. Chaweza will lead the retreat on the day,” he said.
He added that the church is one of the most successful among 16 outstations that makes St Lucia Chipini Parish.
“As part of its community outreach the church has built numerous affordable housing units for low-income families to rent,” he said.
In a separate interview, Chairperson for the organizing committee, Harry Katuma, said as of now almost everything is set for the celebration as choirs and other groups are ready for the day.
“People should expect beautiful liturgy on the day. In addition, there shall be different food at the end of the Eucharist mass cerebration,” he said.
Katuma called upon church members and well-wishers to contribute towards the celebration.
“We are inviting all well-wishers to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion to make this milestone unforgettable; we kindly request your support and contributions. Your generosity, whether in financial, time or a thoughtful gift, will help us organize a fitting celebration, honoring the church’s rich history and legacy,” said Katuma.
St. Catherine Church, which was established in 1924, is one of the 16 outstation churches that make up St. Lucia Chipini Parish
Some of the churches under the Parish are St. Joseph William, St. Daniel Combon Chingale, and St Robert Kapitapa.
Over 80,000 households to get food support
By Mike Nambwale
Machinga, September 20, Mana: Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) says it is expecting that the distribution of maize in the lean season of 2024/2025 response in Machinga District will go well as planned starting this October.
DoDMA Director of Preparedness and Response, Rev. Moses Chimphepo, said the department has already mobilized 80 percent of the resources needed support.
Chimphepo said this during a council meeting in Machinga on Thursday when the department presented to the Council how it will distribute maize in the district targeting over 80,000 households for five months.
He said the department has enough maize in stock ready to distribute for the planned period.
"Ever since the President declared disaster because of El Nino, a lot of donors, including government, are coming in to help.
“We are ready for the distribution and in collaboration with the World Food Programme we have sourced enough to start. Instead of starting in November, we will start in October so that people should receive on time and have food for their survival," Chimphepo said.
He asked chiefs and all stakeholders to be vigilant of the exercise and report anything wrong to relevant authorities so that the process should go smoothly.
Chimphepo emphasized that the only those eligible should benefit.
"I believe that this year's process of identifying beneficiaries will go well. There should be love. Consider those who are suffering to be on the list of benefiting and not those who are able,” he said.
Traditional Authority (TA) Mtumbwinda said he will make sure that deserving people receive the support.
"We have been told that distribution will be for five months; it is our hope that this will happen in the said period and not as it was last time,” said TA Mtumbwinda.
Counting the cost of post abortion care
By Arnold Namanja
Blantyre, September 19, Mana: Febronia Chitsamba, 23, (not her real name) is a student at one of the public universities in the country and is faced with the dilemma of whether to continue her tertiary education or keep the pregnancy.
She was raped after getting drunk for the first time in her life at the overnight finale get- together by one of her ‘hopefuls.’ Apparently, this once-off encounter led into a conception.
These backstreet activities, nevertheless, end up at public hospitals since the law allows for post-abortion care which is also very expensive, regardless of the other factors.
Chitsamba’s situation mirrors the experience of many other girls and young women who have to procure an abortion, quite often in very clandestine and unsafe conditions at the mercy of untrained personnel and unsterile environment.
According to a study by the United States based Guttacher Institute and the Centre for Reproductive Health at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), at least 141 000 abortions occurred in the country in 2020 at annual rate of 38 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age-all of which indicate that abortion is common in the country.
Malawi has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Statistics show that there is a one in 29 chance that a 15-year-old girl in the country will eventually die from a pregnancy-related condition.
Arguably, unsafe abortion is one of the major causes of maternal death in the country.
“Restrictive abortion laws don’t stop abortion from occurring, they just drive it underground, forcing women to resort to clandestine procedures which are unsafe,” Secretary General for the Coalition for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion (Copua), Francis Makiya said.
Over 144 000 girls and women in the country procure abortion every year. It is estimated that of the 144 000 women who abort, 60 percent of such cases result in complications.
By implication, these complications exert unnecessary pressure on government which continues risking losing billions of kwachas due to the delay of enactment of Abortion Law.
Additionally, statistics indicate that in 2002, 36 225 women and girls suffered from serious complications of unsafe abortion and sought post-abortion care treatment in government health facilities with Lilongwe alone registering 7 851.
Conversely, women and girls sustained complications from unsafe abortion and sought post-abortion care in 2002.
Research conducted by IPAS Malawi in 2022 revealed complications of post-abortion cases showed that the northern region was the highest with 61 induced abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-49 years with Blantyre registering 3,395 while Rumphi registered 569 post abortion cases.
Abortion is widespread and universal. In Malawi it is illegal but despite this, women still go for abortion. When a woman decides that she doesn’t want a pregnancy, she will do everything to terminate it.
The criminal law against abortion does not work neither does it prevent abortion. Instead, it kills women and places their health in danger by driving them to quacks or untrained persons.
Currently, termination of a pregnancy may be performed by certified health service providers only when the pregnancy will endanger the life of a pregnant woman which legal expert want ‘life in danger’ to be debated.
With these alarming figures, government is digging deeper in its coffers in treating post-abortion cases which could have been avoided if the law was enacted.
According to Chairperson for Copua, Mateyu Msisha, married women abort because of two possible factors.
He suggests the failure of contraceptives, on one hand and preservation of marriage on the other, especially for women whose husbands migrated forcing them to engage in extra marital affairs in the end.
Msisha asserts that abortion is a human right issue where women should be allowed to make independent decisions regarding their well-being, noting: “It is also a social justice issue where those from the rural areas and marginalized lack access to properly equipped abortion facilities.”
According to Msisha, the cost of post-abortion care is US$1 million (approximately K1.7 billion) per year or US$16 per simple procedure.
Recently, Machinga District Hospital nurse and psychosocial counsellor, Davison Mvula decried increasing unsafe abortion cases in the district.
“Post-abortion cases among the youth in the first half of 2024 are 430, compared with 310 recorded during the corresponding period in 2023,” he stated during a sexual reproductive health training for the youth advocates by Malawi SRHR Alliance.
Meanwhile, the report of the Law Commission on the review of the law on abortion published in March 2016, recommends the liberalization of the abortion law to ‘cater for certain justifiable instances where termination of a pregnancy should be allowed.’
Health workers say the survivors often present too late and in life-and-death conditions.
The complications of unsafe abortion account for up to 18 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the country, according to the Ministry of Health.
A Reproductive Health Expert and Researcher, Chisale Mhango said women with abortion complications endure untold misery and stigma.
“Safe abortion prevents these complications; it affords women the dignity of safely managing their reproductive choices,” he added.
A legal practitioner speaking during a media training in Blantyre, Yankho Mwandidya contended that large numbers of women who die from illegal induced abortion in the country each year would be converted to safe abortions upon legalization; hence, lowering the maternal mortality ratio as well as its related post-abortion care costs.
She advocated for modernization of the restrictive Abortion Law inherited from the Britain during independence in the 1960s, noting: “The law is harsh and severe. It condemns women to injury, health complications and death”.
Malawi Health Equity Network, Executive Director, George Jobe concured that unsafe abortion increases the risks of pregnancy-related deaths as well as the cost of post-abortion care in public health facilities.
“It is a fact that government is spending huge sums of money to provide care to women and girls who risk complications, most of which are life threatening due to unsafe abortion,” he stated.
On the other hand, Ipas, an international sexual and reproductive health think-tank, supports comprehensive abortion care through health systems strengthening, advocacy for policy reform and post-abortion care guidelines enforcement in all health facilities.
So, when all is said and done, until the current Abortion Law is reviewed, people like Chitsamba will still grapple with the dilemma of whether to take the path of abortion or not at the expense of post-abortion care costs being incurred by public health utilities.
Stevens Institute of Technology decorates Chakwera for eromoting education among the youth
By Arkangel Tembo, New York, USA
New York, September 20, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has commended Stevens Institute of Technology for showing great level of commitment to promoting educational exchange and collaboration between the United States (US)and Africa.
The State President made the remarks Thursday evening during the second Annual Africa – US Presidential Forum held in Hoboken, New Jersey in the United States of America (USA).
Chakwera was awarded a Presidential honorary award for his tireless efforts in promoting education among the youth in Malawi and Africa.
He said the forum is a great platform as it aims at equipping African youth with relevant skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics STEM and Artificial Intelligence in enhancing their employability and empowering them to drive the continent's progress.
"It pleasing to note that Malawian students will be admitted at this prestigious university to further their studies in various technological skills for the betterment of their country,” Chakwera said.
In his remarks, President of Stevens Institute of Technology, Dr. Nariman Farvardin, said the university organized the event in partnership with Nekotech Centre of Excellence to show it's commitment to foster technological innovation and educational excellence to ensuring a brighter future for Africa's next generation of leaders and innovators.
"This event as it aims at strengthening educational ties between Africa and US in ensuring that Africa remains at the forefront of technological progress," Farvardin said.
Apart from the President Chakwera, some of the awardees of the Presidential Honorary Awards include, former President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda, Bio President of the of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada, and King Tackie Tsuru 2, President of the Ga State in Ghana.
A Malawian lady, Chipiliro Chisao also received graduate ambassador awards in the female category, while Brima Lakol from Sierra Leone received the same award in men category.
The Africa – US Presidential Forum, annually, brings together African presidents, US government officials, corporate leaders and dignitaries to discuss critical issues in strategic workforce training, with a focus on STEM education and AI-focused learning.
Stevens Institute of Technology is a premier private research university in Hoboken, New Jersey with a rich legacy of technological innovation.
Over 1,000 students are expected to benefit from the scholarship at Stevens Institute of Technology through Nekotech Centre of Excellence.
Partners For the North vows to create green collar jobs for youth
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, September 20, Mana: Partners For the North (PFN), a newly registered company, has vowed to support government in creating green collar jobs for the youth who have graduated from the country’s colleges and universities.
The company’s manager at Ekwendeni Operations Office, Masida Jere, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview on Thursday that the jobs will allow the youth to work at their comfort.
He said the initiative is meant to complement government efforts in creating jobs for the youths whom, many of them, are stressed and depressed due to idleness.
“As PFN, we are here to create jobs that the youths can do in the comfort of their homes and earn money to survive the current global economic challenges,” Jere said.
PFN has investment interests in mega farms, transportation, logistics, printing, stationery, bookshops, merchandise, publishing and supporting development projects in the Northern region.
The company has a current network of 50 youth who are engaged in sales, marketing, logistics, designing and business consultancy in Zomba, Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
One of the Lilongwe based youth, Caroline Phiri, hailed PFN for its commitment to creating green collar jobs for the youth in the country.
“A lot of youth who have graduated from colleges and universities are struggling to get employed hence PFN mission would assist to address unemployment among youths,” she said.
Minister impressed with National Rice Development Strategy II
By Prisca Mashushu
Lilongwe, September 19, Mana: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, has said is impressed with the official launch of the National Rice Development Strategy II (NRDS), saying it will boost markets within Africa as well as the potential to improve food security in the country.
Kawale made the remarks on Thursday, at cross-roads Hotel in Lilongwe.
The Minister said he was satisfied with the launch of the strategy saying it is a landmark towards boosting international markets within Africa, but also a potential to increase economy and food security.
He said his presence at the launch portrays his personal commitment as a minister of agriculture and the Malawi Government to promote rice farming, which he said has a significant potential to contribute to the national food security, economic growth and development of this country.
Kawale acknowledged that the launch was a historical landmark in the rice subsector, marking the beginning of the country's structured and harmonized approach to coordinating the rice value chain.
“As we know, rice is the second most important cereal crop after maize. That is why we need to intensify our efforts to increase productivity and production for sustainable food and income security at the household and national levels.
“The Malawi Government commits to creating a conducive environment for the rice sector to flourish, from production to marketing. I am glad that the Strategy touches on critical areas to support the growth of the rice sector, such as mechanization and large-scale commercial production, which is in line with His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s vision of developing Mega Farms,” he said.
He, however, commended the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) for technical and financial assistance in the development of the strategy, which aims to drive Malawi’s economic growth and food security through rice sector development.
Kawale also thanked Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for facilitating the development of the Strategy.
Chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Hazuhiro Tambara explained that the strategy will have the potential to bring foreign exchange and boost agriculture by creating a conducive environment for rice products.
“Japan will help Malawi to benefit symbiotically by providing mechanization and technology services that will ensure to boost rice production since people of Japan also takes rice as a staple food,” he said.
