Reporter Lameck Messina interviewed women in Malawi to gather their perspectives on International Women's Day and its significance to them.

The Malawi government, in collaboration with UNICEF and a mobile service provider, has launched the Connect-a-School project to equip public schools in rural Malawi with smart TVs, tablets, and free internet for digital learning. Some schools have reported challenges due to a shortage of gadgets.

The Malawi government, UNICEF, and Airtel Malawi have collaborated on the Connect-a-School project to provide rural schools with smart TVs, tablets, and free internet to foster digital learning. Despite the initiative's success, some schools in Dedza District face challenges due to a shortage of gadgets.

The Malawi government, in collaboration with UNICEF and Airtel Malawi, has launched the Connect-a-School project to promote digital learning in rural areas. The initiative provides public schools with smart TVs, tablets, and free internet, although some schools face challenges due to a shortage of gadgets.

The Malawian government is being urged by NGOs to ban the sale of potent liquor sachets, known as 'Blackberries', due to their negative impact on health and education. Despite laws against underage drinking, these sachets are easily accessible to minors through unlicensed outlets. The government's previous attempt to ban them was overturned by a court injunction. NGOs, including the Malawi Alcohol Policy Alliance, are advocating for a revised alcohol policy to control the alcohol content in sachets. The Alcohol Manufacturers Association of Malawi claims they comply with all legal standards and suggests a comprehensive policy to address the issue. The government has increased taxes on liquor sachets, but they remain affordable. Local initiatives are underway to educate the public on the dangers of alcohol abuse, and comparisons are drawn to Zambia, which has banned such sachets.

Felix Kambwiri, a professional welder and former radio repairman from Malawi, has built a helicopter using scrap materials. Inspired by the helicopters he saw as a child, the 45-year-old father of seven constructed the aircraft, which features a 125cc engine from his old motorbike, in four months. Although civil aviation authorities have grounded his helicopter pending safety checks and the installation of a more powerful engine, Kambwiri is determined to make it fly. He aims to use the helicopter to travel to his home village, bypassing bad roads. His efforts have garnered local support, and he is part of a community of amateur aircraft builders in Africa.

Hundreds of refugees have been fleeing to Malawi from Mozambique for six months due to attacks by RENAMO fighters in Tete province. The conflict in July displaced over 700 people, and ongoing atrocities and killings by militias continue to drive Mozambicans into Malawi. The refugee camp in Malawi's Mwanza district now shelters over 2,500 individuals escaping the violence in Tete.