Kabwila says ‘internalised oppression’ affecting women’s rights
University of Malawi, Chancellor College Academic Staff Union (CCASU) acting president Dr. Jessie Kabwira- Kapasula (JKK) says internalized oppression and a belief in unnecessary cultural and traditional norms are some of the major challenges and human rights abuse that most Malawian women are facing.
Kabwira Kapasula was among the panellist at the debate alongside political scientist Augustine Magolowondo and lawyer Habiba Osman at a public debate organized by the Youth Association for Democracy (YADEMA) held at the United States Auditorium, Old Mutual Building in City Centre Lilongwe on Friday Evening.
In her remarks aired live on Zodiak Broadcasting Station, JKK said: “People must understand that there is internalized oppression whereby we also think that men are superior and wiser enough than women. The issue that women are under men has been there for so long and we seriously need to change.”
Kabwira Kapasula bemoaned the tendency by other traditional leaders who thinks and advises women to always adhere to what men say in their respective families.
Freedom of dressing
Commenting on the issue of dressing, she said women in the country are free to put on whatever they wish and urged them to have “self determination”.
“People say women are nowadays not dressing how? If we want are to go back to our culture and even the early days of creation then we will find that people were walking completely naked and with underwear’s only,” she said.
She was referring the dressing issue to an incident which happened few months ago when vendors launched a campaign of undressing women accusing them of indecent dressing.
JKK further pleaded to the leaders in various sectors to consider women empowerment so that there should equal treatment and opportunities between male and females.
“We need to empower women and in that way women will have a say and feel honoured and live. Empowerment is a process and it can’t work within a fortnight therefore we need to keep our patience,” said Kabwira.
Taking her turn, Habiba Osman, described early marriages, domestic violence and school dropout as some of the challenges faced by women.
Also taking his turn, Magolowondo advised women to be strong and have confidence that they can achieve.
“Do not worry with anything, know that you can do everything and achieve in anything people say can only be done by men,” he said.
He also advised women not to pull each other down but realize and value what is in themselves.
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