An outraged Madonna ripped a Malawi judge for sentencing an engaged gay couple couple to 14 years of hard labor - based strictly on their sexual orientation.
"I am shocked and saddened by the decision made by the Malawian court, which sent two innocent men to prison," Madonna said Friday in a statement posted on her web site. "Malawi took a giant step backward," the singer continued. "The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support out basic human right to love and be loved." The two were arrested under Malawi's colonial-era laws banning homosexuality after throwing an engagement party at the hotel where Chimbalanga worked. The two were taken into custody Dec. 27, convicted Tuesday and sentenced Thursday to the maximum term. Their lawyer said the two men will appeal the conviction. "I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi - and around the world - to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all," Madonna said.
As much as I believe Madonna to be a total fame whore, I believe that this is a very good thing that such a famous person would speak out about this issue. Granted, she probably wouldn't have spoken out if she hadn't adopted kids from there but either way her words will help reach people who probably otherwise wouldn't know about the situation.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Child Death Rate Decreases
Deaths among children under five years old have dropped more than previously thought and the declines are accelerating in several developing countries, reflecting significant improvements in care, according to a new study. About 7.7 million deaths in infants and young children are expected globally in 2010, compared with 11.9 million deaths in 1990 and 16 million in 1970, according to the study, conducted by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and published Monday by the journal The Lancet. The rate of decline of about 2.1% a year still doesn't match the annual 4.4% decline needed to meet a United Nations goal to reduce deaths in children under age five by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. But it appears to reflect a scale-up of funding in recent years for efforts to combat malaria, mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and to immunize more children, resulting in greater progress than previously known against childhood diseases, the researchers said. The new findings reflect lower estimates of child mortality than previous studies, reflecting more data and improved methods of analysis, the researchers said. The paper noted that Unicef reported 8.77 million deaths in 2008, compared with the study's 7.95 million deaths for that year.
The decrease in infant mortality is great news. The amount went down almost by 1 million children and the more children that survive the better. Children in Malawi usually don't live beyond the age of 5, which to Americans and many other people, is not common at all. The death rate is extremely morbid for people like us but looking on the positive side of it all, the death rate is decreasing so something is working over there.
The decrease in infant mortality is great news. The amount went down almost by 1 million children and the more children that survive the better. Children in Malawi usually don't live beyond the age of 5, which to Americans and many other people, is not common at all. The death rate is extremely morbid for people like us but looking on the positive side of it all, the death rate is decreasing so something is working over there.
Church Of Scotland Defends imprisoned men
Reverend Ian Galloway, convener of the Kirk's Church and Society council, has condemned the jailing of a Malawian gay couple as "unjust". Townge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour last Thursday after being arrested on 28 December 2009 for their 'symbolic' wedding. Reverend Galloway said: "These men have harmed no-one. They are a danger to no-one and should not be in prison." The Kirk is currently struggling to reach an agreement over the subject of ordaining openly gay ministers after last year's appointment of Scott Rennie to Queen's Cross, an issue which split the Church. The General Assembly, the Church of Scotland's annual supreme court meeting, is currently being held at The Mound in Edinburgh, where Reverend Galloway said he hoped they would unite over the Malawi case.
I think this is really good because although homosexuality is against many peoples beliefs, this church is sticking up for these men. They didn't do anything to anybody so I also believe they shouldn't be in prison for being engaged. The worldwide response is good for these men because the more publicity they get then the worse the government of Malawi looks so they'll eventually be forced to release the men.
I think this is really good because although homosexuality is against many peoples beliefs, this church is sticking up for these men. They didn't do anything to anybody so I also believe they shouldn't be in prison for being engaged. The worldwide response is good for these men because the more publicity they get then the worse the government of Malawi looks so they'll eventually be forced to release the men.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Money goes to Malawi farming
Accenture and Concern today announced that the Accenture Foundations have awarded Concern US $1.5 million to fund the development of conservation farming programs in Zambia and Malawi. The grant will be used to educate and assist local farmers and communities in sustainable farming practices.
The award is part of Accenture's corporate citizenship focus -- Skills to Succeed -- which educates people around the world, building skills that enable them to participate in and contribute to the economy. The three-year Concern project will train 6,400 farmers in Malawi and Zambia in conservation agriculture techniques. Local trainers will provide participating farmers with the skills necessary to attain food security and harvest surplus produce.
In addition to the grant, Accenture will continue supporting Concern with pro-bono consulting services, which range from advice on developing Concern's business strategy to volunteering hands-on support for the organization.
I think this is great because people are trying to help out the less fortunate and are donating money to help other people get on their feet.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/accenture-grants-concern-us15-million-to-build-conservation-farming-skills-in-zambia-and-malawi-2010-04-29?reflink=MW_news_stmp
The award is part of Accenture's corporate citizenship focus -- Skills to Succeed -- which educates people around the world, building skills that enable them to participate in and contribute to the economy. The three-year Concern project will train 6,400 farmers in Malawi and Zambia in conservation agriculture techniques. Local trainers will provide participating farmers with the skills necessary to attain food security and harvest surplus produce.
In addition to the grant, Accenture will continue supporting Concern with pro-bono consulting services, which range from advice on developing Concern's business strategy to volunteering hands-on support for the organization.
I think this is great because people are trying to help out the less fortunate and are donating money to help other people get on their feet.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/accenture-grants-concern-us15-million-to-build-conservation-farming-skills-in-zambia-and-malawi-2010-04-29?reflink=MW_news_stmp
Enough food despite food shortages
Despite some remaining pockets of food insecurity and fears that a prolonged dry spell would set back Malawi's maize production in 2010, the country looks set to realize another surplus year. Alick Nkhoma, assistant representative in Malawi of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said all indications were that for the fifth consecutive year the country would produce enough maize, the staple food, even to support those in need in Southern Malawi, which experienced a dry spell.
A vendor selling maize in Kawale township in the capital, Lilongwe, located in the centre of the country, said most farmers had managed a bumper maize harvest and were already selling the surplus to commercial traders.
"In the rural areas of Lilongwe [district] most households managed to get coupons, with which they bought the subsidized fertilizers; the rains too were good in most areas - this is the reason there is enough maize here," vendor Thomson Mwale told IRIN.
The outlook in southern Malawi is not as good. A Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) report noted that as many as half a million people in the Lower Shire Valley in southern Malawi had not harvested any maize and needed immediate humanitarian support, but "the government has enough stocks to meet these needs".
I think that despite the problems with bad harvest it's good that there is enough food to get by. Although there are many people who are starving to death, the food shortage is not an absolute disaster.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89175
A vendor selling maize in Kawale township in the capital, Lilongwe, located in the centre of the country, said most farmers had managed a bumper maize harvest and were already selling the surplus to commercial traders.
"In the rural areas of Lilongwe [district] most households managed to get coupons, with which they bought the subsidized fertilizers; the rains too were good in most areas - this is the reason there is enough maize here," vendor Thomson Mwale told IRIN.
The outlook in southern Malawi is not as good. A Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) report noted that as many as half a million people in the Lower Shire Valley in southern Malawi had not harvested any maize and needed immediate humanitarian support, but "the government has enough stocks to meet these needs".
I think that despite the problems with bad harvest it's good that there is enough food to get by. Although there are many people who are starving to death, the food shortage is not an absolute disaster.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89175
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Malawi in need of nurses
Malawi is in need of more nurses and midwives to offer better reproductive health services in hospitals. National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM) said recently that the number of nurses in the country was still low and that it needed to triple if health services are to be improved.
Reports say that currently the southern African country has about 8,000 nurses and midwives and that only half are at the bedside when women are giving birth.
“There is a critical shortage of nurse midwives and this inadequate number has resulted in women delivering on their own,” said NONM Project Manager Harriet Kapyepye. The past years have seen many nurses and doctors leave the country for overseas in search of greener pastures. But a senior professor at University of Malawi’s College of Medicine said many doctors and nurses were now coming back to work in the country. The decrease in number of the intake of students to pursue nursing is also said to be bringing about the shortage.
I think that this is a big problem since there are not enough people to take care of others and nurses. But the fact that there are more nurses and doctors coming is good because they really need them.
Reports say that currently the southern African country has about 8,000 nurses and midwives and that only half are at the bedside when women are giving birth.
“There is a critical shortage of nurse midwives and this inadequate number has resulted in women delivering on their own,” said NONM Project Manager Harriet Kapyepye. The past years have seen many nurses and doctors leave the country for overseas in search of greener pastures. But a senior professor at University of Malawi’s College of Medicine said many doctors and nurses were now coming back to work in the country. The decrease in number of the intake of students to pursue nursing is also said to be bringing about the shortage.
I think that this is a big problem since there are not enough people to take care of others and nurses. But the fact that there are more nurses and doctors coming is good because they really need them.
Malawi Leader goes to China
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika is to pay a state visit to China where he will also attend the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. President Mutharika will be among only four African Heads of State invited for the official opening ceremony. Others are from Kenya, Congo Brazzaville and Mali.“We would like our business people to concentrate more on agro-based products and produce quality goods for export to the international market,” President Mutharika said on departure at Kamuzu International Airport in the capital Lilongwe on Tuesday.
An unprecedented 192 countries and 50 international organizations are expected at the event, which features some 189 National Pavilion Days and 39 International Organization Days as well as 20,000 cultural performances.
Mutharika is expected to open the Malawi Stand at the African Pavilion at the World Expo-2010. Shanghai Expo runs from May 1 to October 31. China says it has spent $4.2 billion—double what it spent at the Beijing Olympics—to host the world’s largest exhibition fair.
It is the most expensive Expo to date and local media have reported the true cost is closer to $58 billion, according to Thomson-Reuters. The Shanghai Expo is promoting itself as the first green and environmentally-friendly Expo, creating China’s largest solar plant as part of the facilities and using zero emission vehicles for transportation. But most of the exhibition sites will be demolished when the Expo ends.
I think it's pretty cool because I'm really excited for the world cup. The world cup is something that brings the world together for the same reason and for once it's not something due to war or disaster.
http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/malawi-president-heads-to-china-for-world-expo-2010.html
An unprecedented 192 countries and 50 international organizations are expected at the event, which features some 189 National Pavilion Days and 39 International Organization Days as well as 20,000 cultural performances.
Mutharika is expected to open the Malawi Stand at the African Pavilion at the World Expo-2010. Shanghai Expo runs from May 1 to October 31. China says it has spent $4.2 billion—double what it spent at the Beijing Olympics—to host the world’s largest exhibition fair.
It is the most expensive Expo to date and local media have reported the true cost is closer to $58 billion, according to Thomson-Reuters. The Shanghai Expo is promoting itself as the first green and environmentally-friendly Expo, creating China’s largest solar plant as part of the facilities and using zero emission vehicles for transportation. But most of the exhibition sites will be demolished when the Expo ends.
I think it's pretty cool because I'm really excited for the world cup. The world cup is something that brings the world together for the same reason and for once it's not something due to war or disaster.
http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/malawi-president-heads-to-china-for-world-expo-2010.html
Fundraising for Malawi
Money raised will be used to support feeding programs for orphans, agricultural demonstration projects around village bore holes (wells), empowerment projects for women and scholarships for students and pastors.
Team leader Dennis White said Malawi, known as the "warm heart of Africa," is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania and has a population of 13 million people. Ninety-three percent live without electricity and 50 percent do not have access to clean water. The average income is $160 a year and the average life expectancy is just 44 years. One million orphans live in Malawi and 1.8 million people are infected with HIV-AIDS.
"We are blessed to live in the United States," said White, "and Robert Pierce, founder of World Vision, reminds us, 'Don't fail to do something, just because you can't do everything.' '
As sad as this is, I think that there's a bright side to it. People are seeing what's going on and taking action. They're finding out what these people need and supplying them because they can't help themselves.
Malawi In desperate need of medical care
NAIROBI, 19 May 2010 (IRIN) - Shortages of medical staff have been identified as one of the major impediments to achieving the health-related UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For example, one of the poorest countries in the world, Mozambique, has just 548 doctors for a population of more than 22 million, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO's baseline estimate for achieving health-related MDGs is at least 23 health workers per 10,000 people - against an average of 13 in Africa. IRIN/PlusNews has compiled a list of 10 African countries - in no particular order – that are critically short of skilled personnel:
The country requires 300 percent more health workers because of increased healthcare needs and a reduction in the medical workforce from HIV-related illness or death.
Malawi - With an estimated two doctors for every 100,000 people and a 60 percent vacancy rate for nurses in rural areas, Malawi has turned to “task-shifting” - the use of less qualified health workers. A new cadre of health worker, called a health surveillance assistant (HSA), carries out tasks usually handled by highly trained physicians. In 2007, for example, 95 percent of 625,000 HIV tests were performed by non-medical counsellors.
Treatable illnesses such a malaria and tuberculosis often result in death. Malawi's task-shifting seems to be paying off, but there has been some criticism of the short training period of 10 weeks for HSAs, and suggestions that rigorous selection is being sacrificed in the attempt to meet recruitment targets.
I find this to be really sad because its one of those situations where you wish you could do something to help but there really isn't anything you can do. Malawi is a very populated country and if almost the whole country is sick, then that is just making for a huge disaster.
The WHO's baseline estimate for achieving health-related MDGs is at least 23 health workers per 10,000 people - against an average of 13 in Africa. IRIN/PlusNews has compiled a list of 10 African countries - in no particular order – that are critically short of skilled personnel:
The country requires 300 percent more health workers because of increased healthcare needs and a reduction in the medical workforce from HIV-related illness or death.
Malawi - With an estimated two doctors for every 100,000 people and a 60 percent vacancy rate for nurses in rural areas, Malawi has turned to “task-shifting” - the use of less qualified health workers. A new cadre of health worker, called a health surveillance assistant (HSA), carries out tasks usually handled by highly trained physicians. In 2007, for example, 95 percent of 625,000 HIV tests were performed by non-medical counsellors.
Treatable illnesses such a malaria and tuberculosis often result in death. Malawi's task-shifting seems to be paying off, but there has been some criticism of the short training period of 10 weeks for HSAs, and suggestions that rigorous selection is being sacrificed in the attempt to meet recruitment targets.
I find this to be really sad because its one of those situations where you wish you could do something to help but there really isn't anything you can do. Malawi is a very populated country and if almost the whole country is sick, then that is just making for a huge disaster.
Youth wins World Cup tickets
Five World Cup 2010 tickets have been awarded a Malawian soccer team Youth Against AIDS Organization (YAGAO) Football Club, for a 4-2 victory over Sunbird Livingstonia at the finals of the Kia Corporate Beach Soccer.
Captain Rocky Zibophe said: "We are extremely excited to win. It is every soccer fan's dream to watch the World Cup."
The tournament sponsored by HTD Limited and Air Malawi was graced by Youth Development and Sports Minister Luscious Kanyumba and the president of the Malawi Football Association Walter Nyamilandu.
"HTD truly shares Kia's passion for football and has demonstrated this through consistent support to the national side, the Flames," said HTD's marketing and sales manager, Dueyna Chinere.
I think this is a really good thing and really shows that there are people out there with good intentions to help other peoples dreams come true.
Captain Rocky Zibophe said: "We are extremely excited to win. It is every soccer fan's dream to watch the World Cup."
The tournament sponsored by HTD Limited and Air Malawi was graced by Youth Development and Sports Minister Luscious Kanyumba and the president of the Malawi Football Association Walter Nyamilandu.
"HTD truly shares Kia's passion for football and has demonstrated this through consistent support to the national side, the Flames," said HTD's marketing and sales manager, Dueyna Chinere.
I think this is a really good thing and really shows that there are people out there with good intentions to help other peoples dreams come true.
Protesters take action for homosexuals in Malawi
Chicago gay rights activists took a stand Monday on International Day Against Homophobia, not just for their rights here in America but for the rights of others discriminated against around the world, particularly in Africa.
In a prison cell more than 8,000 miles away in Malawi, 20-year-old Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who was arrested in December along with his lover, wrote a letter that was read Tuesday on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street. Part of the note read:
“I love Steven so much. If people and the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless.”
Chimbalanga and his lover were convicted Tuesday of unnatural acts and gross indecency. Sentencing is set for Thursday. They could face imprisonment of up to 14 years.
According to the Gay Liberation Network, gay sex is illegal in 36 African countries.
“It’s important to remember why we are here today,” Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network, told the group, some of whom were carrying rainbow flags or signs in support of gay righs. “Because demonstrations like this do make a difference.”
Among those present was John Adewoye, a Nigerian immigrant who has been living in the United States the last 10 years because of his sexual orientation.
“After experiencing the liberation of coming out here in America, I knew there would be no other home than where I am now to express myself,” he said.
Adewoye told the crowd a story of a Nigerian college student who in 2002 was clubbed to death by his schoolmates because he was gay.
Crimes like these often go unpunished in Africa, due largely to anti-gay politics and homophobia.
In May 2008, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said he would “cut off the head” of homosexuals caught in his country, and in Uganda there’s a bill pending in parliament that would prescribe the death penalty for gay people in certain circumstances.
Thayer believes the rise of homophobia in Africa is due to extremist and right-wing Evangelicals who are not only attempting to deprive gays and lesbians of their rights in the U.S., but who are also active in promoting anti-gay hate abroad.
Activities of Christian missionaries in Africa have reportedly been on the rise, particularly in Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya, the same countries with the most anti-gay propaganda and laws.
“People have been lying and using the Bible with racism, sexism and now homophobia,” Michael Oboza, an Orthodox Catholic Eastern Rite monk, told the gathering.
Homophobia awareness efforts will continue this week in Chicago with a series of events leading up to Saturday, which would have been the 80th birthday of Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978 in San Francisco after becoming the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America.
I think that it's a fine line between too far with these things. As a Roman Catholic I do not believe in gay marriage but I also do not believe in discrimination against people and using the Bible to encourage that people should be discrimminated against.
In a prison cell more than 8,000 miles away in Malawi, 20-year-old Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who was arrested in December along with his lover, wrote a letter that was read Tuesday on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street. Part of the note read:
“I love Steven so much. If people and the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless.”
Chimbalanga and his lover were convicted Tuesday of unnatural acts and gross indecency. Sentencing is set for Thursday. They could face imprisonment of up to 14 years.
According to the Gay Liberation Network, gay sex is illegal in 36 African countries.
“It’s important to remember why we are here today,” Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network, told the group, some of whom were carrying rainbow flags or signs in support of gay righs. “Because demonstrations like this do make a difference.”
Among those present was John Adewoye, a Nigerian immigrant who has been living in the United States the last 10 years because of his sexual orientation.
“After experiencing the liberation of coming out here in America, I knew there would be no other home than where I am now to express myself,” he said.
Adewoye told the crowd a story of a Nigerian college student who in 2002 was clubbed to death by his schoolmates because he was gay.
Crimes like these often go unpunished in Africa, due largely to anti-gay politics and homophobia.
In May 2008, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said he would “cut off the head” of homosexuals caught in his country, and in Uganda there’s a bill pending in parliament that would prescribe the death penalty for gay people in certain circumstances.
Thayer believes the rise of homophobia in Africa is due to extremist and right-wing Evangelicals who are not only attempting to deprive gays and lesbians of their rights in the U.S., but who are also active in promoting anti-gay hate abroad.
Activities of Christian missionaries in Africa have reportedly been on the rise, particularly in Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya, the same countries with the most anti-gay propaganda and laws.
“People have been lying and using the Bible with racism, sexism and now homophobia,” Michael Oboza, an Orthodox Catholic Eastern Rite monk, told the gathering.
Homophobia awareness efforts will continue this week in Chicago with a series of events leading up to Saturday, which would have been the 80th birthday of Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978 in San Francisco after becoming the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America.
I think that it's a fine line between too far with these things. As a Roman Catholic I do not believe in gay marriage but I also do not believe in discrimination against people and using the Bible to encourage that people should be discrimminated against.
Prostitutes look forward to work during world cup
Sex workers in Malawi are feverishly saving towards the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. They are not going to support their teams but to warm the beds of soccer fans who want to quench their sexual desires. One said: "I think time has come for African sex workers to make money through the World Cup."
The global football showpiece has generally become a common ground for prostitutes to rake in millions from thousands of tourists.
This reporter spoke with some commercial sex workers in Malawi about their plans ahead of the World Cup.
Melvis, who stays in the commercial city Lilongwe, said she has arranged with a Johannesburg-based friend to pitch camp with her until the tournament is over.
She said: “Although South Africa is very far from here, I am prepared to get there before the kickoff. It will be easy for me to stay in South Africa for more than 20 days because I have a friend who stays in Johannesburg and I am expecting to return home with more money to start another business so that my life will improve”.
Her colleague Febbie Mwale said she cannot allow the money making opportunity during the FIFA main event to slip out of her fingers. She said she is hoping to quadruple her average daily income of US$34 (R250) when she lands in South Africa.
Mwale said going to South Africa is no big deal for her. She has been there several times with truck drivers who happened to be her clients.
19-year-old Chrisy said: “If I fail to go to South Africa during the World Cup I hope our business will still improve here at home because some of the fans will be coming to Africa for the first time and they will be interested to visit countries like Malawi. I hope this World Cup is going to work to our advantage because I have been interested to have more clients like whites so I believe during this period I may get some.”
Malawian Minister of Gender and Children Development Patricia Kaliati expressed fears that some of these prostitutes would be in South Africa under the pretext of going for genuine business but would later go into prostitution.
Meanwhile, there are growing fears about the increase of HIV/AIDS during the World Cup. Many fans would engage in unprotected sex that could aid in the spread of the disease back in their home countries.
In South Africa it is believed that 45-69 percent of sex workers are HIV positive, according to 1998 studies while in Malawi about 13 sex workers who were forced to go HIV testing were all tested positive in the Mwanza district.
Personally I think it's a really bad idea because of all the health issues and safety. Also prostitution is not something that I think is a good thing so I frown upon this.
The global football showpiece has generally become a common ground for prostitutes to rake in millions from thousands of tourists.
This reporter spoke with some commercial sex workers in Malawi about their plans ahead of the World Cup.
Melvis, who stays in the commercial city Lilongwe, said she has arranged with a Johannesburg-based friend to pitch camp with her until the tournament is over.
She said: “Although South Africa is very far from here, I am prepared to get there before the kickoff. It will be easy for me to stay in South Africa for more than 20 days because I have a friend who stays in Johannesburg and I am expecting to return home with more money to start another business so that my life will improve”.
Her colleague Febbie Mwale said she cannot allow the money making opportunity during the FIFA main event to slip out of her fingers. She said she is hoping to quadruple her average daily income of US$34 (R250) when she lands in South Africa.
Mwale said going to South Africa is no big deal for her. She has been there several times with truck drivers who happened to be her clients.
19-year-old Chrisy said: “If I fail to go to South Africa during the World Cup I hope our business will still improve here at home because some of the fans will be coming to Africa for the first time and they will be interested to visit countries like Malawi. I hope this World Cup is going to work to our advantage because I have been interested to have more clients like whites so I believe during this period I may get some.”
Malawian Minister of Gender and Children Development Patricia Kaliati expressed fears that some of these prostitutes would be in South Africa under the pretext of going for genuine business but would later go into prostitution.
Meanwhile, there are growing fears about the increase of HIV/AIDS during the World Cup. Many fans would engage in unprotected sex that could aid in the spread of the disease back in their home countries.
In South Africa it is believed that 45-69 percent of sex workers are HIV positive, according to 1998 studies while in Malawi about 13 sex workers who were forced to go HIV testing were all tested positive in the Mwanza district.
Personally I think it's a really bad idea because of all the health issues and safety. Also prostitution is not something that I think is a good thing so I frown upon this.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Malawi bans Polygamy, Muslims angered
Malawi officials declare the ban on polygamist marriages but Muslim spokesperson says this is discrimintation on Muslim minority. The spokesperson says 6% more women than men would be left without husbands and resort to prostitution. The gender minister banned this in order to prevent women from being abused in polyamist marriages. "When a man has two, three, four wives, they are not co-operative - one will be the loved one," said Gender Minister Patricia Kaliati. Those who are already in Polygamist marriages will not be affected but if someone were to become into one now will be arrested.
Personally I think this is a good idea to ban. Marriage is a sacred thing between man and wife, not man and wives. The act of polygamy is a man being greedy and selfish to take more than one woman to be his wife as well as childish in a sense that he cannot only have one wife, but he must have more.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8654326.stm
Personally I think this is a good idea to ban. Marriage is a sacred thing between man and wife, not man and wives. The act of polygamy is a man being greedy and selfish to take more than one woman to be his wife as well as childish in a sense that he cannot only have one wife, but he must have more.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8654326.stm
Technology to keep up with changing climate
"Temperatures have increased and the danger is that agriculture is the backbone of [Africa's] economies," Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, chief executive officer of the South-African based Food says. The technologies helping with agriculture may be less helpful now with the climbing temperatures which could create a huge problem. Africa spends 19 billion dollars on food imports annually but has the capacity to be much bigger if it could produce more. The problem is that with the food running short and not having the technology to keep up with farming, Malawi will have a problem getting what little food they could produce anyways. The temperature conflicts with the technology and that is what needs to be changed. I think that this is just another blow to the current problems in Africa and Malawi. They have enough problems as is, and these current ones really won't help anything.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/2cb08dbd461f1e21432d48a0d9bad685.htm
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/2cb08dbd461f1e21432d48a0d9bad685.htm
Calagary moms make promise to moms of Malawi.
Recently, a business consultant from the calagary and vice present president of Lifeline Malawi named Barbara, has spoken with a newspaper about her work in Malawi. She was telling about how, while she was driving through the countryside, she came across a building in shambles. There were children going in and so Barbara followed them in. It was a school for blind children but the teacher was teaching with no supplies, no money and no support. None of the kids in the class had shoes as well. Children in Malawi have the worst maternal mortality rate; 164 times higher than Canadas. One in eight children die before they are 5 years old. Barbara has started fundraising to earn money for the families and children of Malawi as well as money to help people with AIDS and HIV get medicine to get better.
This is really sad because this is such a widely spread issue and it's a hard thing to cure since there's not much you can do to make these women get help other than encouragement. The fact that one in eight children die before they're 5 is really sad because every child should be able to grow up healthy but these kids won't live to see their sixth birthday.
This is really sad because this is such a widely spread issue and it's a hard thing to cure since there's not much you can do to make these women get help other than encouragement. The fact that one in eight children die before they're 5 is really sad because every child should be able to grow up healthy but these kids won't live to see their sixth birthday.
Measles Affect 3026
An outbreak of measles has taken place in Malawi and has affected 3,026. Health care officials say it will take $4.1 million dollars to get a vaccine for everyone. The main targets for vaccintation is children below 15 years old. So far 8 people have died. They are still investigating the cause for measles but so far have't come up with anything. They're considering this an emergency but it will take years to get rid of all cases.
http://www.africanews.com/site/Measles_attacks_3026_kills_8_in_Malawi/list_messages/31868
http://www.africanews.com/site/Measles_attacks_3026_kills_8_in_Malawi/list_messages/31868
Friday, May 7, 2010
PMTCT battles missing moms and missing drugs.
Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission is gaining ground on raising awareness but there still is the issue of not enough medicine. Today, 45% of pregnant women are accesting PMTCT services. In 2007 there were only four PMTCT sites. Now there are 32. In Malawi, things are improving medically with a decent amount of women are having deliveries in hospitals although over 40% have their babies at home. One out of every fifty babies is HIV positive when DBS tests were conducted on the babies. The whole point of PMTCT is to bring medicine to people who have AIDS and HIV and to get them to a healthier state. The drugs are expensive and many people are sick due to moms who have HIV and passing the sickness down to their children.
In my opinion I think it's great that people are starting to take action for this cause. It's going to be a really long process trying to contain this virus since it's so deadly and can take lives very quickly. But I think the more attention that's brought to it, the easier it will be to improve conditions.
http://www.plusnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89044
In my opinion I think it's great that people are starting to take action for this cause. It's going to be a really long process trying to contain this virus since it's so deadly and can take lives very quickly. But I think the more attention that's brought to it, the easier it will be to improve conditions.
http://www.plusnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89044
Friday, April 23, 2010
Madonna returns to Malawi
In 2006, Madonna adopted a son, David, from Malawi. Her adoption caused a lot of media. The government didn't approve of these adoptions from wealthy people adopting children from the Malawian government so they've tried to ban it. When Madonna came back in 2009 for another adopted child, there were more raised eyebrows. She came back to see how her charity was doing, Raising Malawi. She came to see the schools and other acadamies were doing.
Personally I think that Madonna is just doing if for attention. I'm sure she loves her kids and she's doing good things but if it was only for a good cause, I don't think she would publicize it so much.
Personally I think that Madonna is just doing if for attention. I'm sure she loves her kids and she's doing good things but if it was only for a good cause, I don't think she would publicize it so much.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Two homosexual men face years of imprisonment
Two men in Malawi were brought into court the other day by police prosecuters. They married each other in a traditional marriage ceremony and will face years of imprisonment if they're found guilty. The couple is facing official charges of "gross indecency" and "buggerys" for "having carnal knowledge against the order of nature". "In the balance of probability the state has established a prima-facie case against the two as charged," Usiwa Usiwa told the couple. The state has already administered several medical tests on the couple to establish that they were having sexual intercourse as well as a mental examination to test if each is mentally stable.
The two men have been arrested for Sections 153 and 156 of the Penal Code which state homosexuality is a crime. It is recommended by these laws that homosexuals should be imprisoned for 5 to 14 years and hard labour.
I think that it's ridiculous to arrest people for homosexuality. Although personally I do not support gay marriage based on my religion, I don't think that arresting people because of homosexuality is just, especially for so long
The two men have been arrested for Sections 153 and 156 of the Penal Code which state homosexuality is a crime. It is recommended by these laws that homosexuals should be imprisoned for 5 to 14 years and hard labour.
I think that it's ridiculous to arrest people for homosexuality. Although personally I do not support gay marriage based on my religion, I don't think that arresting people because of homosexuality is just, especially for so long
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