Using the courts to secure positive law reform for women in Malawi

Women's inheritance and property rights are essential to an effective response to HIV/AIDS. For women living with HIV, denial of these rights can lead to loss of shelter and livelihood, result in dislocation from their social safety nets and, because of stigma and gender-based discrimination, jeopardize their access to testing, treatment, care and support. In this article, based on a symposium presentation at AIDS 2010, Seodi White discusses efforts in Malawi to challenge the country's current approach to marital property.