[a_certain_nobody]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...?newsfeed=true

I thought I'd share this because it's the most positive thing I've read in the news in a while.
What does everyone think of Joyce Banda? So far she seems to be making it her priority to restore foreign aid to the country. She's Africa's second ever female president and has a background in women's rights.

[Brandmon]

Certainly a step in the right direction and I'd certainly commend her for it. That said homosexuality would remain an issue in such a country as I'm afraid social stigma on homosexuality will remain. So it is certainly not the only step that needs to be taken.

[TheKieranC]

I'm sure that wont go down well

[thegodofgod]

A great first step / thought, although I don't think it'll go down well with many people...

[No Man]

Well, at least it's a step in the right direction, although there are a number of countries in Africa that have legalised homosexuality already.

[Planar]

It's a great move, but I can't help but think that there are better things for her to use her political capital on.

[Einheri]

(Original post by Planar)
It's a great move, but I can't help but think that there are better things for her to use her political capital on.

This. The legality of homosexuality is far, far down the list of pressing issues for Malawi.

[sucess]

now lets hope america legalise polygamy

[callum9999]

(Original post by Einheri)
This. The legality of homosexuality is far, far down the list of pressing issues for Malawi.

(Original post by Planar)
It's a great move, but I can't help but think that there are better things for her to use her political capital on.

You are aware that governments are generally capable of thinking about more than one thing at a time...

[stellz]

(Original post by Einheri)
This. The legality of homosexuality is far, far down the list of pressing issues for Malawi.

Such as?

[callum9999]

(Original post by sucess)
now lets hope america legalise polygamy

It's always amused me how secret extra-marital affairs are completely legal but 2 women choosing to marry the same man (and vice versa) is some kind of especially abhorrent act that needs additional laws! (Not restricted to America of course - presumably this is the norm in most countries).

[badcheesecrispy]

(Original post by sucess)
now lets hope america legalise polygamy

Why? Can you really see many western women being happy all of a sudden at sharing their husband? Not many mate.

Likewise, would you want to share your bird with another guy cos I wouldnt.

If you dont want to stay with one partner don't have one and just have multiple sex partners.

[Clare~Bear]

Those that are saying there'll still be a social stigma - wasn't there still one in Britian after it was legalised? Afetr a few years, people will be used to it, especially younegr people who won't have known what it was like before and the older more conservative people won't be around to complain

[GrantG]

Haha. Mrs BANDA. Sounds like banana

[Planar]

(Original post by callum9999)
You are aware that governments are generally capable of thinking about more than one thing at a time...

And you are aware that govts can only push so much unpopular legislation before they're brought down, aren't you?

[callum9999]

(Original post by Planar)
And you are aware that govts can only push so much unpopular legislation before they're brought down, aren't you?

So you are suggesting that they are likely going to be "brought down" because of this?

[michaelhaych]

(Original post by stellz)
Such as?

umm, I'm gonna go with:

• 12% of the population have HIV/AIDS
• GDP per capita of $860
• non-compulsory primary education
• dependence on aid from the World Bank and the IMF
• Corruption
• Loss of investment in recent years.
• Poor infrastructure for power, water, and telecommunications
• 8.5% inflation rates
• 40% of people living below the poverty line
• Malawian Food Crisis
• Lack of free speech and freedom of the press
• Police brutality
• Mob violence
• Violence against women
• Human trafficking
• Child labour
• Harsh prison conditions
• Madonna stealing their children
• etc, etc

[stellz]

(Original post by michaelhaych)
umm, I'm gonna go with:

• 12% of the population have HIV/AIDS
• GDP per capita of $860
• non-compulsory primary education
• dependence on aid from the World Bank and the IMF
• Corruption
• Loss of investment in recent years.
• Poor infrastructure for power, water, and telecommunications
• 8.5% inflation rates
• 40% of people living below the poverty line
• Malawian Food Crisis
• Lack of free speech and freedom of the press
• Police brutality
• Mob violence
• Violence against women
• Human trafficking
• Child labour
• Harsh prison conditions
• Madonna stealing their children
• etc, etc

The "police brutality" you mentioned was about 1 incident while Bingu was president-I have lived in Malawi my whole life and I can tell you there are no huge power and water problems, only minor ones. As for violence against women, every country in the world has that problem and I really don't see how any of these problems are related to the legalisation of gay marriage in any way. And-"mob violence"?! Do you have any evidence for Malawi's huge mob violence problem? Malawians are generally some of the friendliest, non-violent people in Africa having never been through a war. I think it's great that she is paying attention to the homophobia in the country and, as someone mentioned above, governments can do more than one thing at once. Since Joyce Banda has come into power, there have been several improvements in the country and the inflation you mentioned is a result of the VERY necessary devaluation of the kwacha!

And-please describe the telecommunication problems that Malawi faces?

[SmallTownGirl]

I am now just a little bit in love with this woman. I didn't even know they'd got a new president. She's wonderful. I hope they don't get rid of her in 2014.

[Adman32]

(Original post by stellz)
Such as?

In short, the spread of HIV and hundreds of thousands of people in danger of starving to death.