Source: Malawi24
A female parliamentarian for Mangochi South Constituency, Lillian Patel believes the recently passed Malawi's Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill, empowers women in the country as it helps women cling to their maiden names.

In her contribution to the debate on the controversial bill earlier today Patel said she was delighted because among other issues, the bill gives women the right to maintain their maiden names upon getting married.

During the time of her speech in the August house, Patel received opposing reactions as her female counterparts cheered her and on the other hand booed by male MP's in equal measures.

Lately, Amos Mailosi legislator for Phalombe East was the only MP who openly supported the bill which is viewed as to be pro-women.

Although he is accused by fellow male legislators that he is being conspired with women activities that they suspect are harbouring vengeance on the some men in the country to support the bill, the DPP law maker refuted the allegations.

"My support on the bill was driven by zeal to deal with increased cases of early marriage and teenage pregnancies in my constituency a sad development which I strongly believe needs a protective law to put in place and nothing else," said Mailosi.

Though male lawmakers have not fully welcomed the bill, female MPs in the house have maintained their stance, which divided them often times to ensure that the bill, termed as long awaited and significant had finally passed.

In addition to child marriage, the bill outlines issues in which couples/partners or people in a relationship can drag each other to court.

• Malawi