Equality in action with Immaculate Maluza

Immaculate Maluza is an feminist human rights lawyer who has been instrumental in supporting survivors of abuse in high-profile cases in Malawi. She is driven by a passion for gender and children’s rights, as well as advocating for marginalised groups such as refugees and LGBTQ communities. Through legal action, free legal services, and community education, Immaculate targets systemic injustices to better support women and girls. 

“If I can give women and girls a chance to advocate for themselves and exist in a more equitable world, that’s enough,” she says.

Immaculate’s journey into human rights began with a school trip to a police station during her A-levels where she saw first-hand the stark injustices within the criminal justice system. She observed a case where an individual accused of stealing a bicycle was subjected to torture and denied legal representation. Her determination to challenge these inequities was deeply influenced by her father, a lawyer and feminist in his own right. At home, he defied traditional gender norms, ensuring equality in household roles, and nurtured Immaculate’s sense of justice and self-belief from an early age. 

“He raised me to believe I could do anything,” she recalls. “Now, I fight for others to have that same chance.”

Among her proudest achievements is a landmark case involving police officers who, in retaliation for the death of a colleague during demonstrations, sexually and physically assaulted numerous women. Despite facing intimidation, Immaculate played a crucial role in bringing this case to court, where the actions of the police were declared unconstitutional, and the survivors were awarded compensation. 

“The court ruled in the women's favour, but they also stated that the police need to reform how they handle communities,” she explained. 

The case highlighted not only the systemic injustices within law enforcement but also the courage of the women who came forward, often breaking social norms and opposing their own families. Their bravery, coupled with Immaculate’s fearless advocacy, set a powerful precedent for justice and accountability in Malawi.

Immaculate has encountered discrimination and backlash as a female lawyer, particularly when tackling high-profile cases. Her strong determination to pursue justice, despite the scale of the case or personal attacks based on her gender, highlights her commitment to challenging inequities at the system and community level. 

“The minute they realised it was female lawyers… we became the target of criticism and attacks,” she said. 

Immaculate imagines a future where both legal reforms and mindsets shift to contribute to an end to violence against women. 

“We’ve made strides, but there’s a long way to go. Change begins when we humanise women and confront bias, not just in laws but in everyday lives.”