Most Active Stories Sun April 8, 2012 In Malawi, A Woman In
Power, An Economy In Need Malawi's first female president takes
office with a personal history of women's rights advocacy and a
long fight ahead. For Joyce Banda, economic empowerment is
crucial for women's progress. It is also a nationwide struggle
now resting on her shoulders. Banda, who had been the country's
vice president, was sworn in Saturday, following the death of
President Bingu wa Mutharika on Thursday. As NPR's Ofeibea
Quist-Arcton reports, Banda has become Africa's second female
president. The delayed announcement of Mutharika's death — and
Banda's succession — had fueled speculation of a power struggle.
The constitution clearly gives the vice president transitional
power, Quist-Arcton tells our Newscast Unit, but Banda had had a
falling out with Mutharika. Banda will serve the rest of his
term — until early 2014, according to The Associated Press. In
an interview with Al Jazeera, Banda says Malawians will support
her leadership. "The el