Malawi vows to act to end child marriage, make gender equality integral to national growth and development

Malawi commits to the accelerated implementation of actions to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. A National Plan of Action on Gender-Based Violence has been developed to end the epidemic, and the HeforShe Campaign has led to nationwide sensitization on the issue, including by mobilizing men. Subsequently, Malawi enacted the ground-breaking Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Law that puts the age of marriage at 18 years. Traditional leaders established a Chief’s Gender Council to support a campaign on ending child marriage. Malawi has identified gender equality and women’s empowerment as core priorities of the revised Malawi Growth and Development Strategy, and integrated gender-responsive budgeting in the national budget. Close work with banks, microfinance institutions and other stakeholders will continue to increase women’s access to financial services and productive resources. New legislation is aimed at bringing women’s representation in politics and decision-making to a minimum level of 40 per cent. Speaking at the Global Leaders' Meeting on 27 September 2015, President Arthur Peter Mutharika said: “My Government and I personally [are] committed to the accelerated implementation of actions and activities which aim to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in Malawi.” [Speech]