Malawi

Nicola Ndovi, Malawi Gender Programme Officer at the International AIDS Conference

The title of this blog isn’t meant to be misleading – to date there is no cure for HIV and AIDS!
During the 2010 AIDS Conference in Vienna however there has been much discussion of scientific progress towards a cure and even a vaccine for HIV and AIDS. Achieving this goal however remains challenging. HIV/ AIDS is a complex disease that requires complex solutions.

Estela Vidal and Dave Smith from our Malawi office were invited by Trócaire partner CCJP -  the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace - to participate as international observers of the Presidential and Parliamentarian Elections held in Malawi on May 19.

Estela Vidal and Dave Smith from our Malawi office were invited by Trócaire partner CCJP - the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace - to participate as international observers of the Presidential and Parliamentarian Elections held in Malawi on May 19.

It was an early start at 5 am from Lilongwe for Estela, Blessings and I on our way down to Blantyre, Malawi's second city, to attempt to register as election monitors for the election on May 19. Up until now we were still in the dark about how the process would be done and we were a little anxious as we travelled the 3 1/2 hours south.

Since my last post, a lot of things have happened. I am now specifically working on girls' education and the statistics on girls' in Malawi is quite appalling. Less than 30% of girls who start primary school proceed to secondary school and even fewer proceed to university. The challenges are many among which are poverty, lack of role models, distance to schools and gender stereotyping within the school. As campaigners, let’s ensure that Malawian girls' and indeed many girls' in Africa are accessing good quality education!

October 17, 2007

Just want to update you all that the Coalition held several campaigns in the districts on gender based violence. Various research has indicated that many girls drop out of school due to gender based violence related reasons. The coalition therefore held sensitization campaigns on what constitutes gender based violence and what can be done to combat it. I therefore appeal to all campainers out there to help in adding their voices to a gender based violence free school environment!

March 09, 2007 3 March 2007.

I took the bus to Waterford where I was met by Eithne Brennan. She showed me around Waterford and the stunning view of the beach. We spoke at the Saturday and Sunday masses at Holy Cross Church on gender equality issues and the education sector in Malawi. 5 March 2007. Stella Maris, Tramore. Delightful. Not only because I also went to Stella Maris Secondary School in Malawi but I really had a good time at this school.

27 Feb 2007.

Sheila Dillon and myself went to Douglas Community School. An all boys school. The Pamoja group had a nice presentation set up and they presented this to other students who came in to listen to the presentation. Much as it was an all boys school, I felt that they had a good grasp of gender issues because it is important that people understand that this campaign is not about women...but its about equal opportunities between boys and girls, men and women. So I felt that they understood that.

March 10, 2007 6 March 2007. Millstreet Community school.

On 25th February, I finally arrive in Ireland, having left Malawi on 24th Feb at 11am. I am glad that I have finally arrived and I was met at Cork airport by John Smith. I was taken to the apartment which would be home for the next 2 weeks ...lovely place. On 26th, Monday, came into the Trocaire Cork Office where I am briefed by Sheila and Jon on the school visits for the next 2 weeks.