News:
Madame President
New Zealand welcomes Malawi’s participation in this process. New Zealand also congratulates Malawi on its successful election and peaceful transition of power in 2020.
While we note positively the launching of Malawi’s National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women, New Zealand is concerned that gender-based violence and discrimination against women reportedly continues. We recommend the finalisation of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act 2006 to include definitions of sexual harassment and its position in relation to Intimate Partner Violence. We also recommend greater law enforcement capacity to investigate cases of suspected sexual assault.
Women also continue to have less access to educative opportunities than men, particularly at the tertiary level. New Zealand recommends the introduction of further measures to provide for equitable access to education by women across all education sectors.
Despite a moratorium on prosecution, laws prohibiting consensual same-sex relations remain in force in Malawi. New Zealand recommends Malawi formally decriminalises consensual same-sex relations between adults, and introduces comprehensive anti-discrimination laws inclusive of the LGBTQI+ community.
Thank you, Madame President.