Chanika, E., Lwanda, J. L. and Muula, A. S. (2013) Gender, gays and gain: the sexualised politics of donor aid in Malawi. Africa Spectrum, 48(1), pp. 89-108. (doi: 10.1177/000203971304800105)
Text
241554.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives. 473kB |
Abstract
Many Malawian politicians have exploited religious and cultural discourses, encouraging the discourse of the “God-fearing Malawi nation” while also acknowledging the country as a secular state. This discourse -which most recently underwent further development in the early 1980s when Christians and Muslims, funded by donor money, accelerated their evangelical drives in the context of a one-party Malawi – resonates with a patriarchal, conservative political dispensation. This paper traces the evolution of the “God-fearing nation” discourse in Malawian politics. It posits that the government used the “gay rights issue” as a strategy to disorient human rights activists and donors. Gay rights were de-linked from other civil rights, forcing a binary approach toward gay rights, which were seen by government supporters as “anti-Christian”, “anti-Malawian” concepts. The debate with donors enabled the government to claim “sovereign autonomy” and galvanise the population into an anti-aid mentality (better no aid than aid that supports homosexuality).
Item Type: | Articles |
---|---|
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Lwanda, Dr John Lloyd |
Authors: | Chanika, E., Lwanda, J. L., and Muula, A. S. |
Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > JA Political science (General) |
College/School: | College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences |
Journal Name: | Africa Spectrum |
Publisher: | SAGE |
ISSN: | 0002-0397 |
ISSN (Online): | 1868-6869 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2012 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Africa Spectrum 48(1):89-108 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record