SOCIETY NEWS

Women Lawyers Association (WLA) holds AGM

The WLA held its annual general meeting at British Council offices in Lilongwe on 1st April 2006. Justice Dr. J Ansah of the High Court in Blantyre, the Solicitor General and Secretary for Justice, Mr. Steve Matenje and members of the diplomatic community graced the meeting. WLA took the opportunity to recognize some women who had made outstanding contribution towards the development of women in the country. Those honoured included Ngeyi Kanyongolo (currently reading for her PhD in UK), Matilda Katopola (the current Clerk of Parliament) and Olivia Liwewe. The meeting also elected new office bearers as follows:

Chairperson - Fiona Mwale, Vice Chairperson- Zunzo Mitole, Secretary- Atuweni-Tupochile Nyirongo, Treasurer- Dalitso Kafere, Vice Treasurer - Agnes Sentala, Publicity Secretary- Chanju Mwale, Fundraising Coordinator- Phoebe Chikungwa, Advocacy Coordinator- Mary Kachale, Legal Aid Coordinator- Martha Chizuma, Research Coordinator - Wezi Mesikano, Training Coordinator- Dorica Phiri, Committee Member- Agnes Nyirenda.

The WLA have also received further funding to continue with their legal aid scheme, which includes the recruitment of a coordinator. The Malawi Law Society has agreed that the coordinator be based at the Secretariat in Blantyre from where the legal aid project will be run.