Vera Chirwa's story is one of betrayal, imprisonment, torture and exile. Yet it is also a story of hope, inspiration and extraordinary bravery. Born in Malawi under British colonial rule, even as a child she was aware of the injustice meted out to her as an African and a girl. While struggling for her education, she met and fell in love with Orton Chirwa, a charismatic teacher and activist. From then on their fates became intertwined with the politics of their country after independence. As a campaigner, politician, lawyer, wife and mother, Chirwa has left an indelible mark on Malawian politics. Her life embodies African struggles against colonialism and corruption. In Fearless Fighter Chirwa talks about her past with immense courage and humour. This powerful and moving book celebrates her achievements and calls for greater awareness of the risks faced by human rights defenders everywhere.
Vera Chirwa's story is one of betrayal, imprisonment, torture and exile. Yet it is also a story of hope, inspiration and extraordinary bravery. Born in Malawi under British colonial rule, even as a child she was aware of the injustice meted out to her as an African and a girl. While struggling for her education, she met and fell in love with Orton Chirwa, a charismatic teacher and activist. From then on their fates became intertwined with the politics of their country after independence. As a campaigner, politician, lawyer, wife and mother, Chirwa has left an indelible mark on Malawian politics. Her life embodies African struggles against colonialism and corruption. In Fearless Fighter Chirwa talks about her past with immense courage and humour. This powerful and moving book celebrates her achievements and calls for greater awareness of the risks faced by human rights defenders everywhere.
Acknowledgements Foreword by Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International Chapter 1 - A Family of Politicians Chapter 2 - Against an Apartheid Federation Chapter 3 - Independence Chapter 4 - The Cabinet Crisis Chapter 5 - Exile Chapter 6 - We Have Got You Today Chapter 7 - The Will to Live Chapter 8 - Back in Civil Society Chapter 9 - Human Rights at the Fingertips Chapter 10 - Democracy under Threat Chapter 11 - Human Rights Commissioner Chapter 12 - The Power to Forgive Index
Vera Chirwa's story is one of betrayal, imprisonment, torture and exile. Yet it is also a story of hope, inspiration and extraordinary bravery.
Vera Mlangazua Chirwa was born in Malawi (then Nyasaland) in 1932. Unusually for a girl in Africa at the time, her parents allowed her to be sent to school in Livingstonia and Blantyre. Shortly after leaving school she met Orton Chirwa, a teacher and political campaigner. They married in 1951. Vera continued her education, training to become Malawi's first female lawyer, whilst looking after the couple's children and working in the Ministry of Land. Angered by the institutional racism and discrimination in the country Vera and Orton were founding members of the Malawi Congress Party in 1959, and Vera led the League of Malawi Women. When the country gained independence in 1961, Orton Chirwa was a senior figure in the new government. In the early years of independence, however, factions emerged around the president and the Chirwas suffered years of exile and detention without trial. Following her release from prison in 1991, as a result of major international campaigns, she became a leading voice campaigning for human rights and civil society in Africa. Vera Chirwa is a lawyer and politician. She was the first Malawian woman ever to qualify as a lawyer and a founding member of the League of Malawi Women. After suffering nine years of detention without trial, she became a leading voice campaigning for human rights and civil society in Africa.
Vera Chirwa's book is a pleasure as well as an education to
read.
*Guy Arnold, North South*
Beautifully and intelligently written, giving an introduction to
Malawi's cultural and political history that is rarely heard.
*Jenny Bowie, Chartist*
She has faced every obstacle, every threat, every setback with
courage and determination, and with faith that what she is doing is
right...she is a remarkable person and hers is a remarkable
story
*Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International*
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