The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has highlighted the significance of strategic litigation in advancing gender equality and protecting human rights in the country.
Speaking on Monday at Sunbird Capital hotel in Lilongwe during a strategic litigation workshop, MHRC Chairperson Chikondi Chijozi emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to promoting gender equality, particularly in the context of public interest cases.
“The strategic litigation is a crucial tool for promoting gender equality and protecting human rights, as it can provide access to legal remedies for marginalized communities and challenge existing laws or practices”, she stated.
Chijozi noted that access to justice remains a significant challenge in Malawi, particularly for marginalized communities,emphasizing the need for a legal framework that promotes gender equality and protects human rights, highlighting the importance of strategic litigation in shaping these frameworks.
Chijozi urged participants to prioritize strategic litigation in their work, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that takes into account the broader social and economic context.
United Nations (UN) Women Deputy Country Representative Patuma Muhammad has emphasized the need for Malawi to strengthen its laws to reduce the gender equality gap.
“Closing the gender equality gap can have a positive impact on Malawi’s sustainable development, as women’s participation is crucial for economic growth and social progress”, she said.
The MHRC’s emphasis on strategic litigation highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to promoting gender equality and protecting human rights in Malawi.
