Malawi – Women’s Rights in Society

Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Southern Africa and arguable the world, has spent most of its history under the isolationist dictatorship of the late President Kamuzu Banda. Since then an open and multi-party system gained control arriving in 1994, when present president Bakili Muluzi won power in fair elections. Ever since the implementation of democracy and an opening of country to the outside world, things have changed relatively quickly and drastically. Malawi has definitely modernized its civilization not only physically but also ethically. Social values have seemed to be implemented into all facets of life. The Constitution of Malawi specifically provides for equal rights for women; however, society has typically been predominantly traditional, and women's liberation takes much time to integrate into society. The much-anticipated liberation has nevertheless come to a standstill with men still neglecting the new role of women in the evolving culture. Men have taken the law into their own hands and turned to domestic abuse, as a solution to the discrepancies between gender roles. Women are not only physically abused but are also far behind in educational and occupational opportunities. Women may never achieve the liberation that they deserve without drastic and immediate change. The Malawian press has unexpectedly taken a pro gender equality stance and has attempted to spread issues of gender sensitivity into culture. Malawi must ensure that women are granted rights not only on paper but also in actuality. In order for Malawi to integrate successfully into society it must grant the equal rights for women as well as men.

Under the Malawian Constitution, women have the right to full and equal protection by law and may not be discriminated against on the basis of sex or marital status; however, in practice discrimination against women is pervasive, and women do not have opportunities equal to those available to men. "Women have significantly lower levels of literacy, education, formal and nontraditional employment opportunities, and access to resources to increase agricultural productivity." (AFROL, 2006)

Women, especially in rural and unpopulated areas, historically have been unable to complete a primary education, and therefore are at a serious disadvantage in finding employment. Accepted economic and social practices hamper the ability of women and girls to gain a formal and adequate education. "The literacy rate among women between the ages of 15 and 45 is less than 37 percent. Conversely, male literacy in the same age group is about 45 percent." (AFROL, 2006) The AFROL also reports that girls drop out of school far more frequently than boys do, and in the final year of primary school; only about 25 percent of the student body is girls. Although there had been recent and significant gains for girls to access education, large gaps continue to remain between girls' and boys' learning levels. Nonetheless, there have been signs of improvement in education for girls but the quality of education still remains unequal to that offered to boys and men.

Not only have women been discriminated against in the learning environment, they also lack the ability to obtain access to legal and financial assistance, and wives are often victims of "discriminatory inheritance practices in which the majority of the estate is taken unlawfully by the deceased husband's family." (AFROL, 2006) Women are at a disadvantage in marriage, family, and property rights. They have begun to speak out against abuse and discrimination yet little to nothing has been done to meet the standards set forth in the Malawian constitution. "Households headed by women are represented disproportionately in the lowest quarter of income distribution. In a country where 85 percent of the population is rural, the majority of farmers are women; 70 percent of the rural female population farm full time." (Jomo, 2006)

Typically, women work more hours than men to complete the same farm tasks because they rarely have comparable tools and equipment and remain responsible for all household tasks. Women have limited access to agricultural extension services, training, and credit. Some progress has been made in all of these areas with gender training for agricultural extension workers and the gradual introduction of rural credit programs for women. The participation of women in the corporate labor market is particularly guarded; women constitute less than 5 percent of management and administrative staff. (Stevens, 2008)

The government however stressing on the importance of women's' rights throughout society, did not take specific initiatives during the past few years. Spousal abuse, especially wife beating, is especially common in relationships and families. The press has published frequent accounts of rape