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Malawi women 'need a spokesperson'

Wednesday, 11th April 2012

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It will be difficult for Malawi's new president Joyce Banda to continue her women's rights activism in the country, according to one feminist group.

The newly-elected leader has been a vocal proponent of universal rights and set up a foundation for the advancement of female education in Malawi.

However, Shereen Essof, a regional coordinator for Just Associates in Southern Africa, believes President Banda is now facing political terrain which is "very, very loaded".

She explained "conservative forces" in the region are working against the advancement of women's rights.

Despite this, Ms Essof knows that more must be done in order to change the situation in Malawi.

She said that nearly 60 per cent of the people living with HIV in the country are female and they need somebody to stand up and ensure that they have access to low-cost, high-quality HIV medication.

The current scenario arose after Ms Banda became president following the recent death of Bingu wa Mutharika.

Posted by Carla MackenzieADNFCR-2094-ID-801337245-ADNFCR

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