Maputo last week, where she was elected to the post of deputy chairperson of the regional body.
She is the only woman Head of State in the regional group. In her first four months in office, Banda has restored faith of many citizens in what African leaders can do – and proved that women make a difference in politics and decision-making.
She flew a commercial flight to the summit. Her trip cost $11,000, compared to $60,000 had she opted for a luxurious jet. She pointed out that she “wanted to set an example that in difficult economic times that we are in, we can forego some of the luxuries”.
She has defied the lavish lifestyles that characterise most African leaders – discarding the fleet of cards in here official envoy. Consultants have been tasked with leasing or selling the $15 million presidential jet her predecessor bought in 2009. Banda believes “the proceeds can be used to provide basic services to Malawi’s poorest people, who urgently need help following devaluation of the currency.”
While some of her critics have accused her of travelling too much, her party has come out strongly to defend her. She has had to lead Malawi in an economic recovery process and her travels have helped restore faith of the donor community.
Banda must also be praised for taking a tough stance on African leadership. In July, she publicly announced that she would arrest the president of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir for committing crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court issued a warrant of arrest against Al Bashir in 2009, but no African leader has cooperated except Banda.
In a country where patriarchal values are still dominant Banda has introduced a number of initiatives that will change women’s lives for the better. Soon after assuming power, she launched the Presidential Initiative for Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood, a project that will focus on improving the current poor maternal health. She actively discourages child marriages and home births, launching a nationwide campaign to educate traditional leaders about the dangers of child marriage and early pregnancy.
However, the 2012/13 national budget completely side-lines gender issues. It does not take into account the gender inequalities in economic empowerment and it is presented without sex-disaggregated data that can assist in mapping interventions and who between women and men should be targeted. Gender experts argue that political leaders can have an influential role in the realisation of gender equality by specifically detailing – and budgeting for – what they intend to do for women. – Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service
Post published in: Africa News