One woman out of 197 prisoners released for Christmas: Malawi gender activists cry foul
Local media reports are indicating that only one woman is among 197 prisoners which Malawi president Peter Mutharika has pardoned as part of Christmas celebrations.
The development has angered gender rights campaigners.
A statement from Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security says the pardoned prisoners are those who have served at least half of their prison sentences, with good behavior and were not convicted of serious offences.
“The pardon of the 197 prisoners is a symbol of forgiveness as the country commemorates its Christmas and New Year Celebrations”, says the statement
However prison officials have told a local radio that only one woman is among those pardoned.
Malawi Prison spokesperson Evance Phiri says it was difficult to release more than one woman because most of the women who are currently serving jail terms are those who committed serious offenses like murder.
Phiri says the only woman who has been pardoned committed a minor offense of theft.
Coordinator for Gender Coordinating Network Emma Kaliya says this is unfair challenged the prison authorities to come up with a list of all women prisoners and the crimes they committed
“It is not true that from Nsanje to Karonga all but one woman committed murder offenses. We just believe there was bias in selecting those to be released” said Kaliya.
The pardoning of prisoners is common in Malawi during independence celebrations, as well as at Easter and at Christmas
The country’s 23 prisons are notorious for the poor conditions in which inmates are kept.
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It’s unfair yes, that’s very clear to all, but they are getting away with it.What else can one expect when some people are not willing to even admit that certain elements of this patriachal culture are severely retrogressive? I mean if one even tries to raise such a point they are immediately shouted down from all corners and accused of being unMalawian or even worse KU LONGOLOLA ( that unforgiveable offense no woman dare commit).
AZIMAI ndizigawenga
Impoper fraction unless u convince me that there was only a single woman in malawi jails. Shame!!!
This is un fair! Kukondela tmakondela koma apa pokha zawonjeza! mutiuza bwino za mzimayi ameneyi
and cedep & chrr will say there is no gay who has been pardoned
wina naye abwera aziti there is no gay who has been released
You advocates don’t just jump on anything and talk nonsense let the law do its work those women you are talking about committed offences and we’re sentenced accordingly so what’s your issue? To pardon a prisoner is the prerogative of the Head of State and it shouldn’t be advocated as if it’s a right it’s just a privilege
Go back to your drawing board and redevise your homework.Did you ever asked the Correctional Servises(Prison) to update you on their inmates roll.Shame on you.Akaidi aakazi mmalawi muno ndi ocheepa kwambiri and for your information.Saathithikana,when we talk about overcrowding its ONLY male cells.Tafunsani kaye akaidi ali paZomba pokha,nde mumve aakazi ndi angati.Gender imakambidwa pali kaubwino,pakavuta siikambidwa mumati ndife azimai.Ndinu otani anthu.
happy new year
YES! REMEMBER BAKILI MULUZI -CLIVE MACHOLOWE SAGA.MR KYROC SHAME ON YOR LACK OF KNOWLEGE ABOUT PRECEDENCE IN MALAWI.IS YO HARDISK OF SMALL MEMORY OR MAYBE IT CLASHED.OR MAYBE U FOLLOW BLINDLY? A MALAWI SACHEDWA KUIBALA.ME AM ZAMBIAN AND IN THE SWIM ABOUT WAT HAPENS IN YO MALAWI