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Recite the last bylaw: chiefs and child marriage reform in Malawi

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2021

Emily Maiden
Emily Maiden*
Affiliation:
University of North Florida, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, 1 UNF Drive, Building 51, Jacksonville, FL32224-2659, USA
*
Email: e.maiden@unf.edu
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Abstract

In the study of modern chieftaincy in Africa, scholars have identified chiefs as important intermediaries for promoting increased voter turnout, new health policies and development initiatives. I add to this literature the importance of chiefs as cultural intermediaries. Using recent child marriage reform efforts in Malawi as a case study, I find that chiefs are key actors needed to implement culturally embedded policy changes. Drawing on descriptive evidence from 12 months of fieldwork across all three regions of Malawi, I find that chiefs are responsible for shifting cultural practices related to child marriage. Using a unique blend of democratic and non-democratic powers, chiefs in Malawi are defying expectations and using their position to promote girls’ rights. These findings contribute to our broader understanding of the political and cultural power of modern chiefs.

Keywords

Chiefschild marriagepolicy changelocal governanceMalawi
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 59 , Issue 1 , March 2021 , pp. 81 - 102
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

The author would like to thank Jaimie Bleck, George Lopez and Susan St. Ville for their feedback on earlier drafts of this project. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and support of my fieldwork assistants: Idana, David, James, John and Gilvert. Funding for this project was provided by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, USAID and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Additional logistical support came from the Centre for Social Research at the University of Malawi.

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