Fall 08 Joint CSOs Shadowing the CEDAW in Malawi | 2015 September 2015 UN CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) CSOs SHADOW REPORT FOR MALAWI 2015 JOINT CEDAW MALAWI CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS SHADOW REPORT 2015 LILONGWE, MALAWI Compiled by Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education Trust Malawi (WLSA-Malawi) and Faculty of Law, Chancellor College, University of Malawi for Malawi CSOs. Joint CSOs Shadowing the CEDAW in Malawi | 2015 Joint CSOs Shadowing the CEDAW in Malawi | 2015 Table of Contents Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. 5 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 6 Executive Summary................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 12 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 13 1. Article 1 – Definition of Discrimination against Women ................................................... 14 1.1 Observations ............................................................................................................ 14 1.1.1 Enactment of the Gender Equality Act ............................................................................... 14 1.1.2 Definition of Sex Discrimination in the Gender Equality Act. ........................................... 14 1.1.3 Criminalization of Sex Discrimination ............................................................................... 14 1.2 Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 15 2. Article 2 – Policy Measures ................................................................................................ 15 2.1 Observations ............................................................................................................ 15 2.1.1 Enactment of the Gender Equality Act and other Gender Related Laws. ............................. 15 2.1.2 The National Gender Policy .................................................................................................. 16 2.1.3 Amendment of the Penal Code ............................................................................................. 17 2.2. Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 17 3. Article 3 – The Development and Advancement of Women .......................................... 17 3.1 Observations ............................................................................................................ 17 3.1.1. Challenges to the Advancement of Women ......................................................................... 17 3.2 Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 19 4. Article 4 – Acceleration of Equality between Men and Women ..................................... 19 4.1 Observations ............................................................................................................ 19 4.1.1 Gender Neutral Quotas in the Gender Equality Act .............................................................. 19 4.2 Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 20 5. Article 5 – Sex Roles and Stereotyping ........................................................................... 20 5.1 Observations ............................................................................................................ 20 5.1.1 The Position of Sex and Gender Stereotypes in Malawi ....................................................... 20 5.1.3 Harmful Practices as Recognized in the Laws ...................................................................... 21 5.2 Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 21 Article 6-Exploitation of Women ............................................................................................ 21 6.1. Observations ............................................................................................................ 21 6.1.1. Enactment and Implementation of the „Trafficking In Persons Act ............................. 21 6.1.2. Extent of the Problem of Trafficking and Prostitution of Women Remains Unknown 22 6.1.3. Lack of awareness of the Trafficking in Persons Act amongst Law Enforcement Agents 23 6.1.4. Continued Violation of Rights of Sex Workers ................................................................... 23 6.1.5. Lack of Commitment to Remove Criminal Sanctions for Women Engaged In Prostitution ..................................................................................................................................... 24 6.1.6. Neglect of the Plight of Children Engaged In Prostitution ........................................... 24 6.1.7. Insufficient Support Services for Survivors of Trafficking and Prostitution ....................... 25 6.2 Recommendations to the State Party ...................................................................... 25 Article 7 – Political and Public Life ........................................................................................ 26 7.1 Observations .................................................................................................................. 26 7.1.1 Challenges Faced By Women in Political Participation ....................................................... 26 7.1.2 No Amendment to the Electoral Laws to Effect the Gender-Neutral Quota of 40/60 .......... 26 7.1.3 Minimal Support from Political Parties to Women Candidates ............................................ 26 Joint CSOs Shadowing the CEDAW in Malawi | 2015 7.1.4 Lack of Financial Resources to Effectively Conduct a Campaign ........................................ 27 7.1.5 Negative Gender Stereotypes, Images and Roles.................................................................. 28 7.1.6 Low Levels of Education for Women ................................................................................... 28 7.1.7 Low Female Representation in Public Appointments ........................................................... 28 7.2 Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 28 Article 8 – International Representation and Participation...................................................... 29 8.1 Observations .................................................................................................................. 29 8.2 Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 30 9. Article 9 – Nationality ......................................................................................................... 30 9.1 Observations ............................................................................................................ 30 9.1.1 Discriminatory Effects of Section 9 of the Citizenship Act .................................................. 30 9.1.2 The Dependent Domicile for Married Women ..................................................................... 31 9.2 Recommendations to the State Party ....................................................................... 31 Article 10: Education and Training of Women ............................................................. 32 10.1 Observations ........................................................................................................ 32 10.1.1 Meaningful Early Childhood Education Remains a Challenge .................................... 32 10.1.2 Lack of Progress in the Implementation of The Education Act .......................................... 33 10.1.3 Challenges in the Implementation of the Readmission Policy ............................................ 33 10.1.4. Challenges in the Provision of Adult Literacy ............................................................. 34 10.1.5 Lack of Progress in the Adoption of the Violence against Girls in Schools Policy ..... 34 10.1.6. The Continued Inadequate Facilities for Girls in Schools ................................................. 35 10.2 Recommendations to the State Party ................................................................... 36 11. Article 11 - Employment ............................................................................................. 36 11.1 Observations ............................................................................................................ 36 11.1.1 Discrimination in the Workplace and Wage Gap ......................................................... 36 11.1.2 Maternity Leave ........................................................................................................... 38 11.1.3 Youth Unemployment .................................................................................................. 38 11.1.4 Unpaid Care Work ....................................................................................................... 39 11.1.5 Paternity Leave ............................................................................................................