Delegates from Malawi attending the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York City, United States of America, observed a minute of silence in honour of Theresa Kachindamoto, widely known as Chief Kachindamoto.
The tribute was led by Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, in recognition of Chief Kachindamoto’s outstanding role in fighting child marriage and promoting the rights and welfare of girls in Malawi.
Through her leadership, Chief Kachindamoto gained international recognition for annulling child marriages and encouraging girls to return to school, positively transforming the lives of many in her community and across the country.
The commemoration took place alongside Malawi’s side event held under the theme “From Complaints to Justice: Advancing Women’s and Girls’ Access to Justice in Malawi,” where stakeholders reflected on protecting the rights of women and girls.
Speaking during the event, Navicha called on stakeholders and development partners to support the Kachindamoto Trust Fund, which aims to preserve her legacy by continuing efforts to end child marriage and promote girls’ education.
Delegates described Chief Kachindamoto as a courageous traditional leader whose work advanced gender equality and child protection, noting that her legacy continues to inspire efforts to empower women and girls in Malawi.
