“Sexual cleansing” is a common harmful practice in several African countries where a woman is expected to have sex after her first period, after becoming widowed, or after an abortion, as a cleansing ritual. In Malawi, girls are forced to have sex with a paid sex worker, known as a “hyena”, once they reach puberty.
Malawi
Lifestyle The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Film based and set in Malawi to debut on Netflix
“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” is the story of a Malawian boy who puts his education and science to work to build a wind turbine, saving his village from famine. The film, set to debut on Netflix, was shot in Malawi despite investor concerns.
Politics and Society It’s time for Malawi to quit tobacco
On World No Tobacco Day, the focus is usually on the health risks of cigarettes. But what about the way Big Tobacco exploits impoverished farmers in Malawi?
African identities 5 year-old girl with albinism Djeneba Diarra beheaded in suspected ritual murder in Mali
A five-year-old girl with albinism Djeneba Diarra was beheaded in a suspected ritual murder for her body parts in Mali. Her murder has caused an outrage in her home village and on social media. Prominent campaigner on albinism, Malian musician Salif Keita has commented on the murder of Djeneba, and pledged to fight for her justice.
Africans rising Meet Laetitia: The Ivorian hair artist shows black hair is a powerful mode of self-expression
What can black hair do? Ivorian hair artist Laetitia answered this question perfectly when she had series of photos of her hair in different interesting shapes. The hair artist explained in her Facebook post that the images are real and not photoshopped, as some would have assumed. Take a look as the fascinating images.
Africans rising First all-female crew flight by Malawian Airlines
Malawi has re-written its aviation history this week when the country witnessed its first all female flight deck crew flying Malawian Airlines flight from Blantyre to Dar-es-Salaam. The company’s maiden all-women operated and supported flight is being celebrated across the continent.
Politics and Society Human trafficking in Malawi goes unabated
In July 2016, a truck carrying 57 Malawian children was intercepted in South Africa – after the driver and his two accomplices had successfully navigated their way through the Mozambique and Zimbabwe border posts. Problem Masau probes deeper to find out about human trafficking in Malawi.
African identities Malawi bans witchdoctors and media adverts for herbalists to curb albino killings
In a landmark ruling, Malawi’s High Court has banned traditional healers from operating in the country to curb the attacks of albinos. The injunction, which comes with less than two weeks before the International Albinism Awareness Day, also bans the media from running advertisements on herbalists.
Politics and Society Malawi bans foreign witch doctors to stop albino killings
Malawi has banned foreign witch doctors from practising in the country, in an intervention to stop the attacks and murders of albinos. Could the measure be effective to protect albino people and help end their worsening plight?