Statecraft & Independence
Landmark
Vera Chirwa
1932 – 2024
Malawi's first woman lawyer, twelve years on death row
Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the Malawi Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
The first woman to practise law in Malawi, sentenced to death by Hastings Banda for opposing him, and twelve years on death row before her release.
Vera Mlangazua Chirwa was a Malawi-born lawyer and human rights activist, the country's first woman lawyer, and a founding member of the Malawi Congress Party and the Nyasaland African Women's League.
She campaigned for multiparty democracy and was sentenced to death by President Hastings Banda, spending twelve years on death row.
She campaigned for multiparty democracy and was sentenced to death by President Hastings Banda, spending twelve years on death row.
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