Women voice in Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (C.C.A.P). Malawi - Acritical Evaluation Especially with Nkhoma Synod

Women are left out in Nkhoma Synod in that they are not allowed to be in leadership position, as church ministers, following the biblical patriarchy. Secondly, women are not offered theological trainings. The purpose of this case study is to critically evaluate the role of women in the church today. This paper gives a background of CCAP Malawi and Nkhoma Synod and how women have been viewed since the introduction of Christianity in the central region of Malawi. In addition, how this in turn has contributed to the development of the congregations and the Synod as a whole. This study also reveals how Christianity influenced culture and traditions in society of Malawi’s Central Region. Women represent 65% of the Church membership. Best tools helps one to have a good result, in this case study, gender and power, and ecumenical diakonia theories were used to help answer the research question. Observations and interviews were done with influential leaders and ministers of congregation, women in the leadership positions and in laity. Secondly, published and unpublished sources have been used together with internet sources. The paper has analyzed and explored the need for Nkhoma Synod to address gender and power issues, being a Church and a diaconal actor. The paper suggests the need to transform and empower the women in all areas of the church existence

Ensuring HIV-infected pregnant women start antiretroviral treatment: an operational cohort study from Lilongwe, Malawi

Objectives:  HIV-infected women identified through antenatal care (ANC) often fail to access antiretroviral treatment (ART), leaving them and their infants at risk for declining health or HIV transmission. We describe results of measures to improve uptake of ART among eligible pregnant women. Methods:  Between October 2006 and December 2009, interventions implemented at ANC and ART facilities in urban Lilongwe aimed to better link services for women with CD4 counts <250/μl. A monitoring system followed women referred for ART to examine trends and improve practices in referral completion, on-time ART initiation and ART retention. Results:  Six hundred and twelve women were ART eligible: 604 (99%) received their CD4 result, 344 (56%) reached the clinic, 286 (47%) started ART while pregnant and 261 (43%) were either alive on ART or transferred out after 6 months. Between 2006 and 2009, the median (IQR) time between CD4 blood draw and ART initiation fell from 41 days (17, 349) to 15 days (7,42) (P = 0.183); the proportion of eligible individuals starting ART while pregnant and retained for 6 months improved from 17% to 65% (P < 0.001). Delays generally shortened within the continuum of care from 2006 to 2009; however, time from CD4 blood draw to ART referral increased from 7 to 14 days. Conclusions:  Referrals between facilities and delays through CD4 count measurements create bottlenecks in patient care. Retention improved over time, but delays within the linkage process remained. ART initiation at ANC plus use of point-of-care CD4 tests may further enhance ART uptake