Malawi's Debt Crisis Cripples Social Services, Hurts Women Most-MEJN
The activist also raised concerns about structural adjustment programs and public-private partnerships (PPPs), which she claims are "doing more harm to the Malawi population".
MAPUTO, Mozambique— Malawi's economy continues to struggle under the weight of unsustainable debt and austerity measures, with women bearing the brunt of the impact, according to a leading economic justice advocate, according to the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), writes Winston Mwale.
Bertha Phiri, Executive Director of the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), outlined three key challenges facing Malawi's economy during the 4th African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD IV) held in Maputo, Mozambique, from August 28-30.
"Malawi's economy at large continues not to respond to the macroeconomic development model," Phiri said, highlighting persistent issues with debt management, taxation, and trade policies.
Phiri identified three major concerns plaguing Malawi:
1. Lack of progress on macroeconomic objectives, characterized by persistent balance of payments difficulties and fiscal deficits.
2. A regressive taxation system that disproportionately impacts women.
"We are not responding to how best we can utilize the debt, utilise trade to boost our economy, let alone the taxation system which is very harsh at heart, not sensitive to gender equality," she explained.
3. Austerity measures undermining social sector investments, particularly in health and education.
Phiri criticized the allocation of nearly a quarter of Malawi's budget to debt servicing, stating, "The budget for Malawi continues to face significant cuts in the expense of congesting the social sector investment."
The activist also raised concerns about structural adjustment programs and public-private partnerships (PPPs), which she claims are "doing more harm to the Malawi population" by prioritizing profit over service delivery.
"Issues of labor rights of women are being infringed, and the gender justice or the macro-feminism approach that needed to be feeding into the women and helping them to cope with the challenges, it is not there," Phiri said.
She emphasized the need for greater inclusion of women and young people in the policymaking process, calling for increased transparency and accountability in debt restructuring.
Phiri's presentation offered a feminist critique of Malawi's current economic trajectory, highlighting the urgent need for a more inclusive and equitable approach that centers on the needs of women and marginalized communities.
The conference, which brought together activists and economists from across Africa, aimed to examine the continent's debt crisis from pan-African feminist perspectives and develop alternatives to current economic models.
As the gathering concluded, participants stressed the importance of continued collaboration and advocacy to push for economic policies that prioritize human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development over debt repayment and austerity measures.
Phiri's insights provided a stark example of how debt and austerity measures are affecting individual African nations, resonating with the broader themes of the conference and underscoring the need for a feminist lens in shaping a more sustainable and just economic future for Africa.