Gender equality and women’s political engagement in Malawi

At a glance

• A majority of Malawians say the government has performed well in promoting opportunities and equality for women. But citizens are divided as to whether there has been progress on women’s rights in recent years.
• Strong majorities of Malawians say women should have the same chance as men to be elected to office and the same rights as men to own and inherit land.
• Almost unanimously, Malawians say wife beating is “never justified.” But one in five women report having experienced gender discrimination during the past year – twice the rate of men.
• Continuing trends over time, Malawian women are less likely than men to engage in various types of political activity.