Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Fewer than two thirds of Malawian households own a single table, bed, chair or bicycle and the majority of Malawians can only afford to eat two-thirds of the minimum recommended daily calorie requirement. One in five children die before their fifth birthday, and the average life expectancy is just 37.
Hundreds of people die every day in Malawi as a result of cholera, diphtheria, dysentery, HIV/AIDS, malaria, malnutrition, tuberculosis, and other preventable and treatable illnesses. The effect is devastating: an estimated 70,000 children are orphaned every year; the sick and orphaned generally rely on family members to support and care for them, many of whom are themselves struggling to survive because of sickness and poverty.
Justice and Legal Aid
Malawians face incredible difficulties in accessing sound legal advice and representation. Legal proceedings all take place in English, a language the majority of people do not understand. Many people spend months or years in custody before even being charged with an offence.
Malawi's prisons currently house over 50% more than their official capacity, and are categorised by Amnesty International as causing significant concern.
As well as the human rights issues involved, this situation also contributes to the problem of poverty, as the prisoners are often potential breadwinners for large extended families.
Education
Primary school education in Malawi is free, but children do need to be able to supply their own school uniform and pencils. Secondary education has to be paid for, and this prevents the majority from completing their school education. Many families, particularly those affected by illness and disease, simply cannot afford the fees or examination costs. Many more cannot spare children to attend school when they could be caring for younger siblings or sick relatives, farming for food, or earning a wage.
Girls are even less likely than their brothers to complete their secondary education. Their traditional role caring for the family, combined with the expectation that they will marry young, means that families invariably prioritise education for sons.
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