Elizabeth Mkandawire

Providing child care facilities at markets, like this one in Abijan, Ivory Coast, could ease the burden on women traders. EFE-EPA/ Legnan Koula

August 19, 2021

How to put women at the centre of Africa’s food systems

Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria and Melody Mentz-Coetzee, University of Pretoria

Globally, experts are beginning to recognise that focusing on one aspect of food overlooks the trade-offs or sacrifices people make.

In understanding women’s physical needs, food security emerged as an important issue. Shutterstock/AvanellB

December 6, 2020

Dignity at the end of life: a Malawian nursing study shows the impact of food

Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria; Anne Dressel, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, and Peninnah Kako, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Food security emerged as a major issue for women nearing the end of their lives in Malawi.

Women smallholder farmers contribute significantly to the Nigerian economy. Shutterstock

March 6, 2020

Nigeria needs to close the financial inclusion gap for women smallholder farmers

Olayinka Adegbite, University of Pretoria; Charles Lepepeule Machethe, University of Pretoria, and Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria

Nigeria needs to adopt gender specific strategies to financially include women smallholders in agriculture.

Ronald Jackson sells dried fish on the roadside in Mangochi, Malawi. EFE-EPA/Aaron Ufumeli

February 24, 2020

We found a way to reduce gender bias in Malawi’s nutrition policy

Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria and Sheryl L Hendriks, University of Pretoria

Nutrition policies offer the chance for us to think differently about men and women’s roles in society.

A woman and baby on a bicycle taxi in Salima, Malawi. Some Malawian men are becoming more involved in childcare. EPA-EFE

September 20, 2019

Malawi study highlights the importance of men in childcare and nutrition

Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria and Sheryl L Hendriks, University of Pretoria

While not all men are willing to become involved in women and children’s health, some situations force them take on ‘women’s work’.

A mixture of grains and crops keeps the doctor away. Shutterstock

May 22, 2019

How combining and fermenting grains can help nutrition in Africa

Kwaku Gyebi Duodu, University of Pretoria; Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria, and John Taylor, University of Pretoria

Combining and fermenting readily available indigenous African crops can help counter malnutrition on the continent.

Hunger is a daily reality across large parts of Africa. Jon Hrusa/EPA

October 16, 2018

African countries’ policies must shift to achieve zero hunger

Sheryl L Hendriks, University of Pretoria; Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria, and Nosipho Mabuza, University of Pretoria

It’s one thing to come up with food security plans. But implementing them is tough.

In rural Malawi traditional leaders have played an important role in persuading men to get involved in women’s health. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

December 5, 2016

When men tackle mother and child health: lessons from Malawi

Sheryl L Hendriks, University of Pretoria; Elizabeth Mkandawire, University of Pretoria, and Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu

A study in Malawi shows how the participation of local community leaders in policy development can change men’s attitudes to maternal and child health for the better.

8

3