Malawi, which is found in the southeastern part of Africa, is a country that suffers from a number of different lacks; lack of fuel, food, medical supplies to help with the growing number of HIV/AIDS victims, discrimination, gender issues, and even political issues. You wouldn’t think that a third world country such as Malawi would have political issues but yes they do.
Members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DDP) and members of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) are what make up the government in Malawi. There was a comment about the DDP wanting to change the Constitution to be able the give the sitting President more power, however others in parliament fear that this will give the President too much power. This, to me, is no different that the President of the United States of America. Our President really doesn’t have too much of a say so in much of anything. He can have some really good ideas on how to save the nation and help it grow, however if someone in Congress feels that a particular decision will not benefit them, they can go ahead and knock it down. (http://www.africamission-mafr.org/kanengonov09.htm).
When we look at the economy of Malawi, fuel is one of the highest scarcest commodities. It got so bad that President Bingu wa Mutharika , called a halt on any international travel (including himself) to protect the supply of fuel (Malawi Press Review, Nov 2009). Along with the fuel there is also a shortage of water, electricity, and soft drinks. (http://www.africamission-mafr.org/kanengonov09.htm)
To enhance the food source, there was a Greenbelt Bill that was passed. This was done in order to boost food supply and combat hunger (http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i6kqhaPrKXKssw2MoJEbjyFGreTw).
Hiv/Aids are another still growing epidemic in Malawi. A woman by the name of Dr. Mary Shaba, who is the Principle Secretary for Nutrition and Hiv/Aids, “the fight against Hiv/Aids will not be completed if the country ignores the fact that there are gays in Malawi”. How can this issue be ignored or the fact that there are gays in Malawi? Not discriminating against the homosexual community, and by no means am I blaming the GLB community for the spreading of Hiv/Aids, however if they have statistical evidence that this is how it started then why not admit to the obvious, advocate for the people, and create an awareness to help stop the rapidly growing disease. Instead put a band aid on it, and wait for the adhesive to give out until the wound is gushing out all over the place. Aids is not just a homosexual disease, it affects all walks of life, but instead of taking care of the issue at its earliest moment when we can slow down the process wait until it grows out of control, or better yet, wait until it affects your immediately family and then watch how fast government is quick to jump up and make things happen. (http://www.africamission-mafr.org/kanengonov09.htm)
Last but definitely not least let’s talk about the gender issues and human trafficking that goes on. Women are still looked down upon as “no voice”. Amazing that a country that has yet to meet the 30% rate of females who are allowed in the decision making, is being praised still the this day for their efforts of the empowerment of women. Human trafficking is among the children; in fact they are not even allowed to go to school. They work on a farm and even the owner s of the farm rape these children. How does this tie into gender issues that goes on in Malawi? It is because of the female children that are targeted in human trafficking. (http://www.africamission-mafr.org/kanengonov09.htm)
These are the very issues that were discussed in the “Notebook” the story about Malawi. I guess I could consider myself blessed? That I don’t have endure what these women and children must go through in Malawi, but if you look at the big picture the only difference is that the United States has more money, we still are faced with the possibility of our children being taken away and sold for sex, poverty runs our streets, and all of us are just a paycheck away from going hungry, or getting the lights cut off. We the similar issues that the people of Malawi face, our country just have more money….even though we may never see it.
No comments:
Post a Comment