In this special edition, we are seeking contributions on inspirational women in Malawi, who come from many walks of life, and have shaped our world in a variety of fields. We are especially seeking stories of the underrepresented, unacknowledged and understudied women who have made a substantial impact on our culture. These women are farmers, politicians, teachers, preachers, artists, journalists, disruptors, human rights activists, community organisers, engineers, doctors, fundraisers, musicians and everything in between. We especially welcome interrogations and provocations that enable debate and dialogue around prescient issues surrounding these women and the way they have broken ground, inspired and changed the course of history.
The journal will be national in scope and focus on all time periods. These are women who exist in our folklore, history and present. A sample (but not definitive) list of ideas includes:
- Who was Mrs Ida Chilembwe?
- The legend of Makewana
- Traditional birthing assistants
- Rural women bankers
- Modern feminism and street activism
- Traditional healers and modern doctors
- Women of the 2020 Cabinet
- The Kwithu Women’s Group of Mzuzu
- Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto
- Activists like Emmie Chanika, Martha Kwataitane and others
This special edition will introduce a spectrum of essays that will eventually lead to a full book on influential Malawian women, which will be published in late 2022. Both the special journal and the planned book will help fill a gap in our understanding of the forces and people who helped shape our world.
We welcome submissions from researchers, scholars and experts across all disciplines and fields of studies. Although we aspire to publish a majority women portfolio, we encourage all people to submit a proposal. Please send complete first drafts of maximum 3000 words and a short biographical note to Chisomo.kalinga@ed.ac.uk by Friday 16 July 2021.
This is an expert peer-reviewed journal and book project and will comprise a Malawi-led guest editorial board to oversee the process from review to print. We expect to publish the journal in November 2021.
The Special Edition of the Society of Malawi Journal will be edited by David Stuart Mogg (Honorary Editor, Society of Malawi Journal), John Lwanda (Guest Editor), Chisomo Kalinga (Guest Editor) and David Bone (Guest Editor).