By Chisomo Phiri
As part of commemorating International Women’s Day,The Single Mother Empowerment Organization(SMEO), founded by Venia Vimbai Awali Bakali in partnership with Women Judges Association of Malawi(WJAM) on Saturday March 8,2025 hosted a meeting with over 200 young and single mothers from Mbayani and Chemusa Townships in Blantyre.
The event, held at Malawi Sun Hotel in the commercial city, aimed to tackle the challenges faced by single mothers and explore solutions to support them.
In an interview with journalists, Bakali said the meeting was a significant step forward in addressing the issues affecting single mothers in the country.
“We are happy to have reached out to such a large number of women.
“This is the largest group we’ve ever hosted, and we believe it’s a crucial step in supporting these women and girls,” she said.
Bakali highlighted the challenges faced by single mothers, including poverty, transactional sex, and exploitation by men.
She emphasized that these issues are deeply entrenched and require a collective effort to address.
When asked if Malawi is making progress in reducing the number of single mothers, Bakali expressed concern.
“I do not think we are making strides in reducing the number of single mothers.
“Poverty is a significant driver of transactional sex, and until we address this underlying issue, the situation will likely worsen,” she said.
Bakali said her organization is committed to continuing its work in supporting single mothers and advocating for policies that address the root causes of poverty and exploitation.
She said:”We should expect more of these events in the future, as the situation is dire, and many women and girls need support and encouragement in their daily lives.”
On her part,the country’s youngest magistrate, Olivia Sama encouraged single women to unlock their potential and take control of their lives.
She emphasized the importance of education and entrepreneurship in empowering young mothers.
Sama also highlighted the need for civic education and community outreach programs.
She then advised single mothers to start small businesses or seek support from the Child Justice Court to care for their children.
