Malawi Act or statute

Malawi legislation

Gender Equality Act, 2013

access to educationcompliancecourt feescourt formscurriculum compliancedata collectiondisciplinary procedureseducation complianceeducation institution operationsemployer policiesEmployment lawgender equalitygeneral statutory draftingharmful practiceshuman rightshuman rights awarenessinvestigationslitigation procedurenon-discriminationpolicy monitoringpublic awareness programmespublic complaintsrecords accessrecruitmentrecruitment complianceregulationsregulatory oversightscholarshipsservice certificationsexual and reproductive health servicessexual harassment awarenesstrainingworkforce quotasworkplace conductworkplace harassment

Jurisdiction: Malawi
Structure: 23 provisions
Citation: Act 3 of 2013
Official identity: Year 2013
Dates: Enacted 2013 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Official identity: Year 2013
Dates: Enacted 2013 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Official source

Purpose and legislative effect

“This section says the Act may be cited as the Gender Equality Act.”

This section says the Act may be cited as the Gender Equality Act. This Act applies to all persons and all matters, unless another written law expressly provides otherwise, and it binds the Government. This section defines several terms used in the Act, including appointing or recruiting authority, educational institution, harmful practice, and public institution. A person must not discriminate against another person on the basis of sex. A person must not commit, engage in, subject another person to, or encourage any harmful practice.

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Enacted 2013 · Source version 31 Dec 2014. The date shown identifies this source expression and should not be treated as proof that no later change exists.
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Short title

This section says the Act may be cited as the Gender Equality Act.

Section 1

Workplace policy for sexual harassment

Government and workplace managers must maintain anti-sexual-harassment policies and procedures, and affected persons get grievance and dignity protections.

Section 7

Compliance order

If an appointing or recruiting authority does not comply with section 11, the court may order it to comply; the authority must implement the order within the period set by the court.

Section 12

General duties in relation to curriculum

The Government must take active measures to ensure school curricula include gender equality, human rights, female students’ needs, environmental care, and support for girls in traditionally male-dominated subjects.

Section 18

Regulations

The Minister may make regulations to carry out this Act.

Section 23

Source and current-law status

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Source record from malawilii.org · Enacted 2013 · Source version 31 Dec 2014

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Showing 23 of 23 provisions

Provision 15Offence 5Short titleInterpretation

Part I

Preliminary

§ 1Short titleShort title

This section says the Act may be cited as the Gender Equality Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gender Equality Act.

Section 1Verify source

§ 2Scope of applicationProvision

This Act applies to all persons and all matters, unless another written law expressly provides otherwise, and it binds the Government.

2. Scope of application (1) Except where it is otherwise expressly provided for by any written law, this Act applies to all persons and to all matters. (2) This Act binds the Government.

Section 2Verify source

§ 3InterpretationInterpretation

This section defines several terms used in the Act, including appointing or recruiting authority, educational institution, harmful practice, and public institution.

3. Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “ appointing or recruiting authority ” means a public office in whose power the decision to appoint or recruit any person lies; “ educational institution ” means a school, college, university or other institution at which education or training is provided; “ harmful practice ” means a social, cultural, or religious practice which, on account of sex, gender or marital status, does or is likely to— (a) undermine the dignity, health or liberty of any person; or (b) result in physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological harm to any person; and “ public institution ” means an institution that is part of the public service within the meaning of “public service” under the Public Service Act. [Cap. 1:03]

Section 3Verify source

Part II

Sex discrimination

§ 4Prohibition of sex discriminationOffence

A person must not discriminate against another person on the basis of sex.

4. Prohibition of sex discrimination (1) A person shall not— (a) treat another person less favourably than he or she would treat a person of his or her own sex; or (b) apply to the other person an exclusion, distinction or restriction which applies or would apply equally to both sexes but— (i) which is such that the proportion of one sex who can comply with it is considerably smaller than the proportion of the opposite sex who can comply with it; (ii) which he or she cannot show to be justifiable irrespective of the sex of the person to whom it is applied; and (iii) which is to the detriment of the other person because he or she cannot comply with it, with the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of the rights and fundamental freedoms of that person. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine of K1,000,000 and to a term of imprisonment for five years.

Section 4Verify source

§ 5Prohibition of harmful practicesOffence

A person must not commit, engage in, subject another person to, or encourage any harmful practice.

5. Prohibition of harmful practices (1) A person shall not commit, engage in, subject another person to, or encourage the commission of any harmful practice . (2) Any person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine of K1,000,000 and to a term of imprisonment for five years.

Section 5Verify source

§ 6Sexual harassmentOffence

A person commits an offence if they engage in unwanted sexual conduct that would likely offend, humiliate, or intimidate another person.

6. Sexual harassment (1) A person commits an act of sexual harassment if he or she engages in any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances in which a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the other person would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. (2) A person who sexually harasses another in terms of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine of K1,000,000 and to a term of imprisonment for five years.

Section 6Verify source

§ 7Workplace policy for sexual harassmentCommencement

Government and workplace managers must maintain anti-sexual-harassment policies and procedures, and affected persons get grievance and dignity protections.

7. Workplace policy for sexual harassment (1) The Government shall take active measures to ensure that employers have developed and are implementing appropriate policy and procedures aimed at eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace which shall— (a) entitle all persons who have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace to raise a grievance about its occurrence and be guaranteed that appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken against perpetrators; (b) entitle a non-employee who has been subjected to sexual harassment to lodge a grievance with the employer of the perpetrator where the conduct giving rise to the complaint has taken place at the work place or in the course of the perpetrator’s employment; (c) entitle all employees, job applicants and other persons who have dealings with the workplace to be treated with dignity; and (d) oblige the person in charge of the work place to— (i) implement the policy and procedures and impose disciplinary action against employees who do not comply; (ii) deal seriously, expeditiously, sensitively and confidentially with all allegations of sexual harassment; (iii) protect employees against victimization, retaliation for lodging grievances and from false accusations; (iv) explain the procedure which shall be followed by persons who are victims of sexual harassment; (v) communicate the sexual harassment policy and grievance procedures effectively to all employees; and (vi) designate a person outside of line management whom a person who has been subjected to sexual harassment may approach for confidential advice and counselling. (2) A person who has been subjected to sexual harassment need not have exhausted internal sexual harassment procedures before prosecution of the offence can be commenced or civil proceedings can be instituted.

Section 7Verify source

Part III

Enforcement

§ 8Enforcement by the Human Rights CommissionProvision

The Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Act.

8. Enforcement by the Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission, hereinafter called “the Commission”, shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

Section 8Verify source

§ 9Powers of the Human Rights Commission in relation to gender equalityProvision

The Human Rights Commission must protect and promote gender equality and carry out listed functions when exercising its powers under this Act.

9. Powers of the Human Rights Commission in relation to gender equality (1) In addition to the powers conferred upon the Commission by the Constitution, the Human Rights Commission Act or any other written law, the Commission, shall protect and promote gender equality. (2) The Commission shall perform the following functions in the exercise of its powers in relation to this Act— (a) monitor and evaluate the policies and practices of— (i) Government organs, Government agencies and public bodies; and (ii) the private sector, in order to promote gender equality and make any recommendations that the Commission deems necessary; (b) carry out investigations and conduct searches in relation to any gender issues on receipt of a complaint or on its own accord; (c) consider, deliberate on and make recommendations to the Minister on any gender issues; (d) provide information to any party in a gender dispute on rights, remedies or obligations; (e) promote and facilitate access to remedies for any dispute concerning gender issues; (f) promote ratification by Malawi of any international gender instruments; and (g) perform any other function as is necessary for the implementation of this Act. [Cap. 3:08]

Section 9Verify source

§ 10Duties of the Human Rights Commission in relation to gender equalityProvision

The Commission may carry out duties related to gender equality and implementing the Act.

10. Duties of the Human Rights Commission in relation to gender equality The Commission may perform the following duties in the exercise of its powers in relation to this Act— (a) collaborate with the Minister, in establishing mechanisms aimed at progressively realizing gender equality; (b) develop working relationships with international partners, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations devoted to protecting and promoting gender issues; and (c) do or perform any other duties as are necessary for the implementation of this Act.

Section 10Verify source

Part IV

Employment in the public service

§ 11Quotas in the public serviceProvision

Public service appointing or recruiting authorities must keep appointments in each department between 40% and 60% for either sex, subject to stated exceptions.

11. Quotas in the public service (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Public Service Act and subject to subsection (2), an appointing or recruiting authority in the public service shall appoint no less than forty per cent and no more than sixty per cent of either sex in any department in the public service. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply where— (a) a member of either sex applying for the post, does not hold the minimum relevant educational qualifications or experience for the post; (b) a member of either sex offered the post has not accepted the offer; or (c) a member of either sex with the relevant educational qualifications or experience required for the post was not available or could not be identified for the post. [Cap. 1:03]

Section 11Verify source

§ 12Compliance orderOffence

If an appointing or recruiting authority does not comply with section 11, the court may order it to comply; the authority must implement the order within the period set by the court.

12. Compliance order (1) Where an appointing or recruiting authority does not comply with section 11 , the court shall, on application by the aggrieved person, make an order against the appointing or recruiting authority to ensure compliance. (2) A compliance order issued by the court under subsection (1) shall be implemented by the appointing or recruiting authority against whom the order is made within such period as specified in the order. (3) Where an appointing or recruiting authority fails to implement the terms of a compliance order, the authority commits an offence and is liable to a fine of K20,000 for every day the compliance order remains unimplemented.

Section 12Verify source

§ 13Transparency in recruitment in the public serviceProvision

A person interviewed for a public institution job can ask for written reasons if not recruited, or ask to see recruitment records, subject to subsection (2).

13. Transparency in recruitment in the public service (1) A person who is interviewed for employment by a public institution , shall be entitled, upon request, to— (a) be furnished with reasons, in writing, why that person was not recruited; or (b) subject to subsection (2), view records of the recruitment process. (2) Where a public institution — (a) requires further information in order to locate the records requested; and (b) has informed the applicant of that requirement, it shall comply with subsection (1) only when it is supplied with that further information. (3) The public institution referred to in subsection (1) and (2) shall comply with a request under subsection (1) (a) and (1) (b) within a period of twenty-eight days. (4) For purposes of this section, “record” means information held at the time when the request is received.

Section 13Verify source

Part V

Education and training

§ 14Equality in access to education and trainingProvision

Everyone has a right to access education and training, and the Government must take active steps to ensure equal access for girls, boys, women, and men, except in cases of special need.

14. Equality in access to education and training (1) Every person has the right to access education and training including vocational guidance at all levels. (2) Except in the cases of special need, the Government shall take active measures to ensure that educational institutions provide equal access to girls and boys and women and men, to— (a) the same curricula; (b) the same examinations; (c) teaching staff with qualifications of the same standard; (d) institutional premises and equipment of the same quality, irrespective of sex of students at the same level; or (e) provision of sanitary facilities that take into account the specific needs of the sex of the students.

Section 14Verify source

§ 15Equal access to scholarships, etcProvision

Everyone has a right to access scholarships and similar educational benefits without sex discrimination.

15. Equal access to scholarships, etc. (1) Every person has the right to access a scholarship, grant, bursary, benefit or other scholastic endowment without regard to his or her sex. (2) The Government shall take active measures to ensure that every educational institution has guidelines that facilitate compliance with subsection (1).

Section 15Verify source

§ 16Tertiary education institutionsProvision

The Government must take active measures to ensure tertiary education enrollment of either sex stays between 40% and 60% of students.

16. Tertiary education institutions The Government shall take active measures to ensure the enrollment at tertiary education institutions of either sex to a minimum of forty per cent and a maximum of sixty per cent of students.

Section 16Verify source

§ 17Section 17Provision

Sections 15 and 16 do not apply to equality in access to education, training, scholarships, and bursaries when the institution admits students of one sex.

17. Exception for single sex establishments Sections 15 and 16 shall not apply to equality in access to education, training, the grant of scholarships and bursaries where the educational institution admits students of one sex.

Section 17Verify source

§ 18General duties in relation to curriculumProvision

18. General duties in relation to curriculum (1) The Government shall take active measures to ensure that the curricula for all primary and secondary schools— (a) integrates principles of gender equality within the spiritual, moral, cultural and mental development of students at the school, society and experience of life after completion of school with specifications on gender equality; (b) integrates gender issues and human rights at all levels; (c) addresses the special needs of female students by incorporating life skills, including sex education; (d) addresses issues of environmental care and protection; and (e) introduces subjects that enhance the integration of female students in disciplines that are traditionally male-dominated, including sustainable natural resource management.

Section 18Verify source

Part VI

Sexual and reproductive health rights

§ 19Right to sexual and reproductive healthProvision

Every person has a right to adequate sexual and reproductive health, including related services, protection, fertility control, contraception, and the choice whether to have a child.

19. Right to sexual and reproductive health (1) Every person has a right to adequate sexual and reproductive health which includes the right to— (a) access sexual and reproductive health services; (b) access family planning services; (c) be protected from sexually transmitted infection; (d) self-protection from sexually transmitted infection; (e) choose the number of children and when to bear those children; (f) control fertility; and (g) choose an appropriate method of contraception. (2) Subject to any other written law, every person has the right to choose whether or not to have a child.

Section 19Verify source

§ 20Duties of health officers in respect to sexual and reproductive healthOffence

Health officers must treat people fairly, protect dignity, provide family planning services on request, give needed information, record how it was given, and get written consent before procedures or services.

20. Duties of health officers in respect to sexual and reproductive health (1) In addition to the duties imposed or powers conferred on health officers by the Public Health Act or any other relevant law, every health officer shall— (a) respect the sexual and reproductive health rights of every person without discrimination; (b) respect the dignity and integrity of every person accessing sexual and reproductive health services; (c) provide family planning services to any person demanding the services irrespective of marital status or whether that person is accompanied by a spouse; (d) impart all information necessary for a person to make a decision regarding whether or not to undergo any procedure or to accept any service affecting his or her sexual and reproductive health; (e) record the manner in which the information imparted to the person seeking reproductive health services was given and whether it was understood; and (f) obtain the written consent of a person being offered sexual and reproductive health services or family planning services before performing any procedure or offering any service. (2) Any person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine of K750,000 and to a term of imprisonment for three years. [Cap. 34:01]

Section 20Verify source

Part VII

Civic awareness

§ 21Civic awarenessProvision

The Minister must run public awareness programmes for the Act and appoint public service officers to help carry them out.

21. Civic awareness (1) The Minister shall design and implement programmes for the public awareness of this Act and, for that purpose, the Minister shall specifically— (a) develop programmes aimed at promoting gender equality in all spheres of life; (b) develop programmes that create awareness of fundamental human rights, equality and mutual understanding and respect; (c) develop programmes that create awareness of sexual harassment and provide assistance and social support for victims of sexual harassment; and (d) enlist the services of traditional leadership and nongovernmental organizations in disseminating information and in the conduct of any other activities connected with such programmes. (2) The Minister shall appoint, in the public service, officers required to carry out activities for the implementation of the programmes under subsection (1).

Section 21Verify source

Part VIII

Miscellaneous

§ 22Powers of the Chief JusticeProvision

The Chief Justice may make rules for court practice and procedure under this Act, and may prescribe the forms and fees for applicants for orders under this Act.

22. Powers of the Chief Justice (1) The Chief Justice may make rules for the purpose of regulating the practice and procedure of the court in proceedings under this Act. (2) The Chief Justice may prescribe the forms to be used and the fees to be paid by a person applying for an order under this Act.

Section 22Verify source

§ 23RegulationsProvision

The Minister may make regulations to carry out this Act.

23. Regulations (1) The Minister may, make regulations for the effective carrying out of the provisions of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may provide for— (a) the approval of services or programmes undertaken for the purpose of this Act; (b) the certification of persons or organizations that may provide services under this Act; (c) the prescribing of qualifications and experience for persons who may provide services under this Act; or (d) the collection of data in incidences and causes of discrimination on account of gender and sexual harassment for purposes of policy reform and programming, and any other matter prescribed under this Act.

Section 23Verify source

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Chief Justice The Chief Justice may make rules for court practice and procedure under this Act
Section 22

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31 Dec 2014 · currentEnglish

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