Women shying away from politics because of scandalisation, says Malawi ex-president JB on Pauline Long show Ben TV

Malawi former president Joyce Banda, a campaigner for women and girls rights, on Tuesday was shown on Ben TV of London in a popular Pauline Long  interview show which she said  many professional women get discouraged from entering politics because of the treatment they get when they are trying to get into positions of power – the name-calling, the scandalisation and the smear campaigns.

Joyce Banda being interviewed by telvision host Dr Pauline Long
Joyce Banda being interviewed by telvision host Dr Pauline Long
Pauline Long with Joyce Banda at African woman movement
Pauline Long with Joyce Banda at African woman movement

Banda told host Pauline Long that women need to be in leadership “to assist women in getting their voice back “ and help in numerous challenges that they face.

The first woman president of Malawi and second in Africa,  said she was a victim of name-calling when she was governing Malawi from 2012 to 2014.

She was subject to the taunt of a saying that, ‘a female cow does not pull a cart, the female cow is kept for milking’as the then opposition politicians kept questioning why Malawians were allowing a woman to pull the cart.

Banda , who has been an advocate for equality and human rights for women, children and the disabled. lost the presidential election to  President Peter Mutharika in 2014.

However,  Banda said in the Pauline Long show that  there is still great need to give women the opportunity to get into leadership.

“We should ensure many women as possible should get into positions of leadership,” she said .

Banda founded the Joyce Banda Foundation, which strives to help marginalized groups. The foundation focuses on efforts such as schooling, women’s empowerment and orphan care.

Malawi former presidet told Dr Pauline Long that she was fortunate that all the things that she  have advanced in her  life and fought for, “are things that emerged from personal experience.”

Banda said. “I’m talking about education and I’m talking about women’s empowerment and gender-based violence and then … maternal mortality and human rights.”

Growing up, Banda said that although she was able to go to school, one of her friends in her village was unable to attend.

Banda said when girls are unable to pursue education, they marry and bear children young, which can lead to death in child labor. Banda said she herself endured 10 years in an abusive home and almost died giving birth.

To be successful, girls need opportunities for education and role models.

“We must target the girl child… Investing education in girl will be key to give the woman a voice back,” said Banda.

Banda also pointed out  there is the issue of how harmful traditions and cultures stand in the way of the African woman’s advancement.

She also bemoaned about rampant corruption in Africa but said some Heads of State in the continent were serious in cracking down the vice.

“I am proud as African woman that there is a crop of African leaders that are saying no to corruption. Nigeria , Kenya [are some examples of countries where its leaders are serious to fight corruption],” she said.

Banda urged women to  be in parliament to take part in all  important political decisions.

TV presenter Pauline Long interviewed Banda in London  when she  hosted the launch of the first Global Africa Women’s Week on the theme “giving the African woman her voice back”.

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Tilly Baker Ngozo
7 years ago

Joyce Banda was better off as compared to This one.

Winston Msowoya
Winston Msowoya
7 years ago

Iam sorry,Bingu’s souls will never rest in peace for what he did to our country.He deserves condemnations even in his Mausoleum built with stollen funds from poor tax-payers.Can Congolese pray for Mobutu who has plunged their nation into an endless sufferings of millions of Congolese? Can Malawians pray for Banda whose hands are drenched in blood of thousands of our people? Right now,Zimbabweans are praying for Mugabe’s long journey to hell.BJ must come home to defend herself in CASHGATE SCANDLE,globe trotting until when?

Nyapaphi
Nyapaphi
7 years ago

@ kinyepe…ngat amanama APM ali ndi mano? dzino lake limodzi lija ngati nyanga ya chipembere…

george thidwa
7 years ago

Kodi amayi, kwanu mupita liti?

Monkey sauce
Monkey sauce
7 years ago

kodi mayiye alipo….atchona basi heeeeeeee

Gatuso
Gatuso
7 years ago

When she was a president, she abused, name-called and smeared shit on opposition leaders particularly her enemy number one APM. She continuously bashed and used prerogative language against dead man Bingu contrary to our culture, and she complains she was name-called? So she thinks it’s right and proper for her and women in general to abuse, smear and name-call men and men shouldn’t fight back?

kinyepe
kinyepe
7 years ago

WABODZA.MMESA NDIWE UMAMUNYONZA APM(H.E) PA KAMPENI YAKO KUMATI NDI FOREIGNER WAPANDA MANO SADZIWA MAVUTO? SHAMELESS WOMAN WHY CANT YOU BE GRATEFUL TO BINGU,POKULAWISAKO U PRESIDENT MAY HIS SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
TAMABWERANIKO MUKUOPA CHANI?

Mapwevupwevu
Mapwevupwevu
7 years ago

Kikikiki! Koma amayi awa! Giving an example of ng’ombe yaikazi siikoka ngolo.

GADDAFI
7 years ago
Reply to  Mapwevupwevu

i like amai to say the truth and am crying for wat malawians did,we need u mum to run dis country enawa zawakanika amashona awa achoke basi

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