Interrogating the Gendered Aspects in Chichewa Proverbs of Malawi: A Multi- Dimensional Approach to Population Checks

Abstract

It has been documented globally through many empirical studies on how African proverbs are a hindrance to gender equality and women  empowerment which then act as an obstacle to the realization of other Sustainable Development Goals. Way back from history up to date, Chichewa  proverbs of Malawi have been used systematically to create a woman who whole heartedly depend on marriage and childbearing.  Sustained in the proverbs is the differentiated femininity and masculinity construction, women dependence on men, women as group who cannot  make decisions as well as women portrayal as gossipers. Undoubtedly, such portrayal of have implications towards women empowerment and  knowledge which in turn affect gender relations and how women/girls decide and have control on their life reproductive choices. The paper is  designed in a qualitative approach to critically analyse the connotations embedded in Chichewa gendered proverbs and what their implication are.  In its methodology, the paper relies heavily on already documented gendered proverbs extracted from three text namely Chakanza’s (2001) The  wisdom of the people: 2000 Chinyanja proverbs, Kumakanga’s Nzeru za kale and Mphonda’s Miyambi yatsopano. Critical discourse Analysis (CDA),  intesectionality as well as the Judith Butler Performative theory are synthesized and used as analytical tools.