Ellen Chilemba ,
Please provide us with your views on the state of peace in the country you will represent at the One Young World Summit
Malawi has not had any major conflicts apart from internal pre/post elections uprisings. Other conflicts have been between state police and local protests against the country’s economic state, religious difference and the lack of minority rights. Religious conflict stems from having a majority Christian population and government amongst Muslims, Rastafarians and Baha’i believer minorities. Sexual minorities do not have legal rights and their existence is criminal. Women and girls have accomplished legal equality rights. However, many still lack access as laws have not been put into practice.
How do you think your work and/or activism contribute to a sustainable peace?
I am the founder and director of Tiwale, which is a youth-led community-based organization that provides economic and education opportunities to Malawian women. Our programs include business and health education workshops, vocation skills training, education grants and employment opportunities. My organization helps maintain the engine of sustainable peace. Some of the essentials of this engine of sustainable peace in a community are equal rights, economic progress, employment opportunities, environmental sustainability, and thriving health. Tiwale tackles some of these factors. By promoting women’s economic access we are pushing for equality in an already male-dominated economy. Furthermore by promoting education and entrepreneurship, we are helping sustain economic progress and also providing employment opportunities.