MANAonline
MHRC emphasizes Importance of strategic litigation in promoting gender equality
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 26, Mana: The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has highlighted the significance of strategic litigation in advancing gender equality and protecting human rights in the country.
Speaking on Monday at Sunbird Capital hotel in Lilongwe during a strategic litigation workshop, MHRC Chairperson Chikondi Chijozi emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to promoting gender equality, particularly in the context of public interest cases.
"The strategic litigation is a crucial tool for promoting gender equality and protecting human rights, as it can provide access to legal remedies for marginalized communities and challenge existing laws or practices", she stated.
Chijozi noted that access to justice remains a significant challenge in Malawi, particularly for marginalized communities, emphasizing the need for a legal framework that promotes gender equality and protects human rights, highlighting the importance of strategic litigation in shaping these frameworks.
Chijozi urged participants to prioritize strategic litigation in their work, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that takes into account the broader social and economic context.
United Nations (UN) Women Deputy Country Representative Patuma Muhammad has emphasized the need for Malawi to strengthen its laws to reduce the gender equality gap.
"Closing the gender equality gap can have a positive impact on Malawi's sustainable development, as women's participation is crucial for economic growth and social progress", she said.
The MHRC's emphasis on strategic litigation highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to promoting gender equality and protecting human rights in Malawi.
Blantyre in soil health campaign
By Gift Wahuta
Blantyre, May 26, Mana: One Acre Fund and District Agriculture Officer in Blantyre are planning for 2025 soil health campaign with One Acre Fund reaffirming to improve soil health in the district as part of its broader effort to increase agricultural productivity and income among farming households.
One Acre Fund, a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to uplifting smallholder farmers by providing them with financing and training, made its commitment recently during the soil health campaign launch planning meeting with the agriculture office.
One Acre Fund’s Public Relations Officer, Bertha Namelo Kapitawo, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the campaign is meant to help farmers boost crop yields by restoring and maintaining quality soil.
“You can have fertiliser and other inputs, but if the soil lacks nutrients, the harvest will still be poor, Healthy soil means better yields and better income for farmers,
“That’s why we are investing in this and the whole essence of working closely with farmers to bring back soil health,” she said.
One Acre Fund publicist added that the soil health campaign began last year, 2024, when agricultural field officers were trained so as to train farmers on sustainable farming practices, as the initiative also included a mindset change at Traditional Authority level.
“This year, we are continuing but shifting our approach. We will be using a mobile van for wider outreach, raising awareness about soil health, promoting early incorporation of crop residues to ensure decomposition before crop cultivation and discouraging burning of residues,” she added.
Kapitawo said farmers need to practice food budgeting and proper planning to ensure newly harvested crops are properly stored for food security at the household level.
The campaign, in collaboration with the Blantyre District Council, is set to begin this week to cover all Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in Blantyre, including Ntonda, Lunzu, Lirangwe, Kunthembwe, and Chipande.
Land Resources Officer at the Blantyre Agriculture Office, Charles Mthyoka, welcomed the initiative and pledged the office’s full support.
“This campaign comes at the right time as we will also use it as an opportunity to continue with messages of best agricultural practices we already promote, such as manure preparation and agroforestry practices. We are committed to working hand in hand with One Acre Fund to make this campaign a success,” said Mthyoka.
The soil health initiative is expected to empower more farmers to adopt sustainable practices that will improve crop production and livelihoods in EPAs across Blantyre.
Government for more people on social support programs
By Tamala Kamanga
Dowa, May 26, Mana: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General, Honorable Richard Chimwendo Banda, has assured Dowa people that Government is committed to increase the number of participants in the social support programs, like Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) across the country.
He said this on Sunday at a political rally at Dowa community ground in the district.
Chimwendo said the government acknowledges the efforts and contributions that Dowa makes to the country's Economy.
"Dowa is a food basket that has been feeding Malawi for a long time, and as government we recognize the effort people in the district make towards the country’s economy.
"However, we understand that there are many others who are still finding it difficult to sustain their livelihoods. That is why we are still intensifying efforts to have more people on social support programs both in Dowa and the rest of the country," he said.
He then urged people to vote for President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, during the September general elections in order to sustain this vision.
"The president has already given us water, we have a big dam which farmers and many other people will benefit from, through irrigation farming.
"The M1, the Dzaleka-Ntchisi roads are some of the critical roads in the district as our farmers will now easily transport their produce to sell to good markets," said Chimwendo.
In his remarks, former minister of trade and industry, Sosten Gwengwe said that as a country, there is a need to look at home grown policies that can help the country turn around and start relying on its own.
In his remarks, MCP Regional Chairman, Zebron Chilondola urged people in Dowa to unite and support MCP by voting for MCP candidates in the coming general elections.
Mp Expresses Optimism over voter support
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe,May 26, Mana: Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South west Dr Mphatso Boti who is also Malawi Congress Party Parliamentary candidate for a newly-created Lilongwe Mude Constituency, has expressed confidently that president Chakwera will receive overwhelming support from the constituency's 54,000 registered voters.
Speaking during a rally on Sunday at Chifuka primary school playing ground, boti expressed hope that the voters will rally behind the president, citing the large size of the constituency and its significant number of registered voters.
"We have a large size and number of registered voters in the area and I believe that all are going to vote for president Chakwera," he said.
Minister of Trade Vitumbiko Mumba, stated that in the first five years, president Chakwera is laying the foundation for remarkable development, emphasizing the importance of Malawians re-electing president Chakwera to ensure that the foundations he has laid yield fruit.
“Am encouraging people in this area to vote for president Chakwera so that he may continue with the good work he is doing " he said.
Mumba also announced that within this week, the Salima Sugar Company will resume operations, which he believes will help alleviate the sugar shortage problem.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Khongoni thanked the minister of trade for his efforts in fighting for consumer rights in the country.
College Principals hone skills on extended student orientation
BY Sarah Munthali
Lilongwe, May 27, Mana: The Ministry of Labour says a well-managed extended orientation programme would help enhance quality at technical colleges and reduce drop-out rates among students from marginalized backgrounds.
Principal Quality Assurance Officer at the ministry, Annette Chiweza, said this at Mponela in Dowa on Tuesday when she closed a five-day training on extended orientation programme, which was aimed at equipping principals and instructors with skills on supporting students from marginalized backgrounds.
The training was organized by Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi (FAWEMA) under the Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men project, which is being implemented in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
Chiweza said extended orientation programme is critical as it is not limited to the student’s entry point but continuously look at the needs of students including counselling, mentorship, building entrepreneurship skills and transitioning to industry.
“For most marginalized students, the college is a new environment compared to where they come from and, therefore, extended orientation provides opportunity to level the ground for all students,” Chiweza said.
Chiweza said it was now the duty of the Colleges to develop student support strategies that would help improve student outcomes.
FAWEMA Executive Director, Wesley Chabwera, said his organization was committed to supporting government to increase access to tertiary education in line with the country’s development agenda.
“Students from marginalized backgrounds are the most disadvantaged and we believe entrenching extended orientation in the system would help address academic and social challenges that these students face,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Principal for Nasawa Technical College Yusuf Josaya said the training would benefit colleges in graduating quality students including those from marginalized backgrounds.
“We now appreciate that orientation is an ongoing activity and includes student counselling and solving student problems and not just introducing students to school systems,” Josaya said.
The training brought together principals and instructors from Livingstonia, Mzuzu, Namitete, Lilongwe, Salima, Soche and Nasawa technical colleges. The Malawi Council of Disability Affairs (MACODA) technical college was also represented.
Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Women and Men intervention is a seven-year (2024-2030) project which will directly impact 1,350 young women and men from marginalized backgrounds to access tertiary education through TVET and university programmes.
Mndolo urges stronger support for environmental health
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 26, Mana: Secretary for Health, Samson Mndolo, has emphasized the critical role of District Environmental Health Offices (DEHOs), in preventing disease outbreaks, pleading for greater investment and support amid mounting public health challenges.
Speaking at a review meeting in Salima on Monday, Mndolo said the gathering aimed at assessing progress made in the past year, sharing lessons learned, and identifying priority areas for improvement, especially with the recent Mpox outbreak.
“This meeting is vital in allowing us to take stock of the work done by our frontline environmental health teams.
“DEHOs are at the forefront of preventing and responding to public health threats. Strengthening their capacity is not just a necessity, it is a national priority,” he said.
Chief Preventive Officer for Mangochi District, Chimwemwe Jella, highlighted that while progress has been made in several thematic areas of environmental health, many challenges persist.
“These diseases continue to strain our already limited resources, the population keeps growing, but the number of healthcare workers, especially Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs), has not kept pace. This imbalance affects the delivery of essential preventive services," he said.
Jella stressed the importance of recruiting more HSAs to bridge the gap between population needs and service delivery, especially in rural and underserved areas.
A significant blow has come from recent funding cuts by the United States government, which had been a major supporter of Malawi’s public health initiatives.
“These funding cuts has a ripple effect across our programs. We urge both domestic and international partners to continue supporting our health systems. Without their assistance, we risk reversing the gains we have made in disease prevention and response," he added.
Participants to the meeting, which was supported by World Health Organization, shared best practices and strategies for integrating community involvement, improving surveillance systems, and bolstering emergency response mechanisms.
Malawi committed to strengthening gender equality
By Donald Zimba
Lilongwe, May 26, Mana: The Government of Malawi has reaffirmed its dedication to advance gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, made the commitment when she officially opened the Post-Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 69 Stakeholder Engagement Meeting held in Lilongwe.
Sendeza emphasized on the importance of unity in addressing gender issues in the country.
“We have to focus on real issues that are affecting our people,” she stated, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to achieve gender equality in Malawi.
The meeting aimed to align Malawi’s legal and policy frameworks with the CSW69 Political Declaration, and key recommendations discussed included developing a Malawi-specific action plan for 2025–2028 in partnership with UN Women; and establishing a task force to monitor implementation with annual public reporting.
The meeting also discussed facilitation of the ratification of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG); accelerating the dissemination and implementation of national strategies on gender policy; ending child marriages, and male engagement.
Additionally, the meeting highlighted the need to strengthen domestic financing for gender equality initiatives and improve data management for evidence-based policy reforms.
UN Women Malawi Representative, Letty Chiwara, noted that “poverty wears a woman’s face” and she outlined the critical role adequate and transparent financing play in achieving gender equality.
Chiwara acknowledged the challenges ahead, but she described the “the journey towards gender equality as being not an easy one, yet worth taking.”
The stakeholder engagement meeting serves as a platform to develop a roadmap for implementing the CSW69 recommendations, aiming to accelerate progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in Malawi.
Artists use craft to address social issues
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, May 26 Mana: Music has become a powerful tool for youth empowerment, with emerging and established artists using their craft to address pressing social issues, such as unemployment, mental health, and civic engagement.
The music industry in Malawi is not only a reflection of the country's cultural heritage but also a driver of national development.
According to Vita Chirwa, President of the Music Association of Malawi, music plays a significant role in promoting tourism, creating jobs, and enhancing cultural diplomacy.
The Musicians Union of Malawi also supports emerging artists through mentorship, training, and performance platforms, helping them grow professionally.
However, the music industry in Malawi faces challenges such as limited funding and lack of exposure, according to Chirwa.
"Despite these challenges, many artists are using their music to raise awareness on social issues and offer youth a platform for expression and income," he said.
Robert Chiwamba, a well-known poet, uses his poetry to tackle social issues affecting Malawians, particularly the youth.
"I make it a point that my poetry should be issue-based," he said. "This is the only way it can make a difference."
Chiwamba's poetry has the power to educate, inform, and entertain, and he believes that art can mobilize people and influence them to take a new direction.
Merchah, a popular musician, agrees that music is a powerful tool for social change.
"Many people listen to music, and many young people are used to music," he said. "It's an easy way to reach out, because they're going to listen to the message and at the same time be entertained."
Merchah was inspired to use music as a platform because he learned a couple of things through music and the musician said he wants to continue what has been done by legends and great artists like Mte Wambali Mkandawire and Lucius Banda.
Through their music, these artists are not only entertaining but also educating and empowering the youth.
They are using their platforms to promote leadership, civic engagement and social change, and their efforts are making a difference in the lives of many young Malawians.
Chitimba communities in Rumphi fight climate change
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, May 26, Mana: Communities from Chitimba in Sub Traditional Authority Chiwiriwiri in Rumphi have embarked on initiatives aimed at mitigating adverse effects of climate change under Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE- AR).
Acting Sub-Traditional Authority Chiwiriwiri said on Monday his community has been experiencing frequent flooding, resulting in loss of crops and livestock due adverse effects of climate change.
“We have already started planting bananas and preserving forests under water and soil conservation where we are making swales and planting vetiva grass to conserve water and reduce soil erosion. This will ensure soil fertility, leading to better harvest,” said Chiwiriwiri, and that the traditional leaders have, also, put in place by-laws to fight deforestation.
He further said a hydrometric station constructed under the project will protect lives and properties through the flood warning system.
District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, said, like many other districts in the country, Rumphi has been affected by climate change which has resulted in reduced agricultural production, to loss of soil fertility and other challenges.
“The council has come up with a number of interventions under LIFE AR Project to counter these adverse effects, including restoring degraded forests through forest regeneration, planting of trees and other water and soil conservation interventions.
“We are hoping these will reduce the adverse effects such as drought, soil erosion and others. The projects will also supply water to the communities in Chitimba, which will be tapped from Holy Water around Livingstonia.
A member of the community, Loveness Nyirenda, said other initiatives under the project, such as goat pass on, fruit trees and the water project, will enhance economic activities and also ensure safety from waterborne diseases in the area, as they will have access to clean water.
Desk Officer for the project in Rumphi, Gift Nyirenda, says the project has the potential to transform people's livelihoods through various interventions being implemented under the project.
"People in this area depend on fishing, but the catch is no longer the same,” observed Nyirenda. “They are catching less and less fish, but we hope that the goat pass-on programme, banana suckers, and fruit tree seedlings, will give them an alternative to fishing and enhance their resilience to climate shocks,” Nyirenda, added.
The project is being piloted in Rumphi, Salima and Mangochi with funding from the United Kingdom, Ireland and United States. Rumphi received K454million for implementation of various interventions at Chitimba in Sub Traditional Authority Chiwiriwiri.
MCGs impresses health authorities
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, May 26, Mana: Health authorities in Blantyre have commended mother care groups (MCGs) for bridging gap between communities and health workers, significantly improving male involvement in child health.
Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Women for Fair Development (WOFAD), and Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) jointly organized a tour to three MCGs to appreciate their advocacy roles in community mobilization on routine child vaccination.
Extended Project on Immunization (EPI) Coordinator at Blantyre DHO, Myless Mhango, commended MHEN for organizing volunteer mothers, working as MCGs in Blantyre, saying the MCGs act as bridge between communities and health workers in community mobilization on child health in hard to reach areas.
“The impact is evident: numbers of zero-dose children have decreased significantly in areas with MCGs. There is a dropout rates from 10 percent to 5 percent. For instance, Chiswe care group under Bangwe Health Center had 20 zero dose children, now they are all on vaccine,” she said, further acknowledging MCGs’ role in dispelling misconceptions about vaccines.
Mhango also expressed gratitude on MCG’s role in mobilizing men in become champions in child health.
“By working closely with community leaders and health workers, the MCGs have fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among men, as witnessed by high numbers of men bringing their children for Under 5 clinics,” Mhango said.
WOFAD Executive Director, Apostle Lindiwe Matanya, also hailed volunteer MSGs for contributing to Blantyre DHO’s drive for successful vaccination and immunization.
Apostle Matanya called upon the MSGs to continue engaging community leaders for impactful community mobilization.
“The community leaders easily identify zero dose and under-immunized children, they know which family has a baby, and the follow up is easier for them,” she said, adding: “The community leaders identify shortfalls at the facility and advocated for it.
“Some community leaders advocate for construction of houses for Health Surveillance Assistants, shelters, and refrigerators in health facilities,” she added.
Chairperson for Tikondane MCG, under Ntonda Clinic, Joyce Sajiwa assured Blantyre DHO and partners that the care groups at Ntonda Clinic, under Senior Group Head Kajombo, Traditional Authority Kapeni, will remain committed in promoting child health.
“Our children are not getting sick frequently, giving us a chance to concentrate on other things in our families. We have been taught to be self-reliant, and we also discuss business and how we can uplift the society,” she said.
Chairperson for Mbira MCG, Janet Bamu whose group operates at Group Village Head Mchere, Traditional Authority Kapeni (under Mlambe Hospital), said plans were there to mobilize more communities to go for family planning.
Apart from Tikondane and Mbira MCGs, Blantyre DHO, MHEN and WOFAD also visited Nkolesya MCG where the DHO and partners appreciated construction of shelters at outreach clinics, improved male involvement in health initiatives, decrease in zero-dose children, and drop in school dropout rates among others.
