Joyce Banda Quotes

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Joyce Banda

Profession : Politician

Birth : April 12, 1950

When I took over, the economy had almost collapsed. I told Malawians we needed to pass through difficult times. Two days ago I even cut my own salary by 30% to show we are making sacrifices.

Joyce Banda

Misogyny not only for Joyce Banda but for women.

Joyce Banda

I don't remember a single day during the time I was minister of gender, foreign minister, vice-president and president when I saw anything on the part of the men that indicated they were undermining me.

Joyce Banda

I shall always be proud of what I've done, regardless of what you journalists or anybody can say.

Joyce Banda

I decided that I was going to leave State House, and I was going also to step up and step aside so that I give President Peter Mutharika an opportunity to run the country without my interference.

Joyce Banda

An African woman carries heavy loads anyway. That's how we are trained; we are brought up that nothing is unbearable. I use that now, positively. I use that now to have the thick skin that I have, and not fear, and move forward, and push; and push forward.

Joyce Banda

I prospered very quickly. Very quickly, I became politically empowered. I was running my own business.

Joyce Banda

I convinced myself economic empowerment of women was going to be key, especially in a country like this where most women didn't go to school.

Joyce Banda

I'm indeed a mandasi seller, and I'm proud of it, because the majority of women in Malawi are like us, mandasi sellers.

Joyce Banda

Women didn't go to school when they were young because parents preferred to send their brothers. The women couldn't access loans in their own right because the banks sought the approval of a male dependent.

Joyce Banda

I'm used to hitch-hiking.

Joyce Banda

My mission in life is to assist women in social and political empowerment through business and education.

Joyce Banda

I am convening the African Leaders Forum on Disability in partnership with Special Olympics so that a marginalized population long unrecognized does not remain in the shadows. I consider this a critical, moral and practical challenge.

Joyce Banda

I have spent all my life advocating on behalf of the poor, oppressed and marginalized. As a social justice and human rights activist, and now as President of the Republic of Malawi, I have a deep appreciation for the challenges of those on the margins of society.

Joyce Banda

As a democratic society, Malawi has a moral obligation to ensure that each and every injustice, whether through acts of commission or omission, is met with deliberate and tangible action.

Joyce Banda

I have always said that I want Malawi to attain growth that should not just be seen in GDP, but in the growth of opportunities for all, protection for all, and equality for all.

Joyce Banda

I am tremendously inspired by many women around the world who work under dire circumstances to make a difference for their families.

Joyce Banda

Millions of women in malaria-endemic areas in Africa become pregnant every year. Malaria is a threat to these women and their babies, with up to 200,000 newborn deaths each year as a result of malaria.

Joyce Banda

My father once told me when I was a young girl that I was destined to do great things. His belief in my abilities and ambition is rooted deeply in the spirit of Malawians; resilient and determined for a better Malawi and a better Africa.

Joyce Banda

I believe that international support through critical funds, together with the determination of my compatriots, Malawi can be a model country for meeting global health targets and get on with the business of African-driven global economic growth.

Joyce Banda