Transcript Alcohol Policy: The need for a broad consultation process

Drug
Fight
Malawi
Alcohol Policy: The need for a
broad consultation process in
Malawi
11th November, 2008, Nkopola Lodge, MangochiMalawi.
By Nelson B Zakeyu
Executive Director
Drug Fight Malawi
Email; [email protected] Cell;09930740
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Preamble
Alcohol is widely consumed in the
world and moderate consumption is
accepted in many countries (World
Bank 2006).
 Alcohol has important cultural and
symbolic meanings in many societies.

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Preamble

In Malawi, Alcohol consumption is on the
increase and is high among youths, a
situation which is very alarming
considering its negative impact
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Preamble

Pilot studies conducted so far in some areas of
Malawi have linked alcohol use to several
problems such as increase in HIV transmission
( Center for Social Research of the University of
Malawi and IMCDC, 2004), domestic and gender
based violence (Girl Guide Association of Malawi,
January, 2008)
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Preamble

It is evident (despite lack of country wide
evidence based information) that the harm
of use of alcohol is negatively contributing
to the health and social sufferings of
Malawians
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Preamble
Increased consumption of alcohol in
Malawi is silently destroying lives of
people.
 Some people, particularly men are found
totally drug at as early as 6.00 hrs daily.

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Preamble

Media has on a number of occasion
reported deaths of people due to alcohol
consumption particularly taken with empty
stomach.
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Preamble
Steps therefore have to be taken to
address the problem of harmful use of
alcohol for National Development.
 Formulation of National Alcohol Policy is
one of the first important steps to address
the problem.

he
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Preamble
CSOs realize that the Government has the
responsibility of formulating Policies
 The development of the policy has to be
done in collaboration with CS
organizations.

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Goal for the Alcohol Policy
The aim for the policy is the creation of
favorable conditions for the prevention of
the harm from alcohol consumption in
Malawi.
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Purpose of the Policy

To regulate alcohol activities in Malawi in
order to prevent people from harm from
alcohol consumption.
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Some of the possible areas of focus
in the Policy
Minimum legal age to buy and take
alcohol
 Restrictions on hours/days of sale of
alcohol, not only in cities but through out
the country
 Retail sales of alcohol
 Taxes on Alcohol

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Some of the possible areas of focus
in the Policy



Lowered limits for blood alcohol concentration
Administrative suspension of licenses for driving under
influence of alcohol and reinforce the penalties.
Graduated licensing for novice drivers (i.e., issuing
licenses with limitations on driving privileges such as a
zero limit for blood alcohol concentrations to those
seeking for license.
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Some of the Possible areas of
focus

Note has to be taken that while adhering
to international standards, alcohol policy
ought to be tailored according to the
needs of Malawians.
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Advocacy

Considering that programs on
prevention of harmful use of alcohol are
not yet famous in Malawi, and also that
the development of National Policy
require broad participation, Drug Fight
Malawi together with its stakeholders is
continuously in the process of
gathering,
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Advocacy

organizing and analyzing information to
be communicated through various
channels.
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Advocacy

Information will be communicated through
various channels with a view not only to
raising resources for prevention activities on
use of alcohol but also gaining political and
social leadership acceptance and commitment
for a development program, thereby
preparing the society for its acceptance
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What is the aim for advocacy?

The goal is to make prevention of use of
alcohol in Malawi one of the national
priority issues.
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Initiative taken by Drug Fight
Malawi
Intr. to Drug Fight Malawi
 A legally local registered NGO
 Member of CONGOMA
 Registered with NGO-Board of Malawi
 Co-opted member of the IMCDC
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Initiative taken by Drug Fight
Malawi

1.
Embarked on the consultation meetings
related to alcohol activities with CSOs,
Govt depts.
It was from these consultation meetings
where a need for National Alcohol Policy
Advocacy Conference emerged
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Initiative taken by Drug Fight
Malawi
2. The Conference was meant to find out
the general consensus of Civil Society
Organizations and Govt Agencies on the
requirement of Alcohol Policy for Malawi
and to strategize way forward
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National Alcohol Policy
Advocacy Conferences.
Two conferences have been conducted
- At these conferences, delegates made the
following resolutions:
 Reached a consensus on the need for Malawi to
come up with the National Alcohol Policy
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National Alcohol Policy Advocacy
conferences

Endorsed the Ministry of Home Affairs and
Internal Security as a lead Ministry in the
Alcohol Policy Processes, after considering
the work of the IMCDC.
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National Alcohol Policy Advocacy
conferences

Participants elected a Task Force
Committee on Alcohol Policy in Malawi
drawn from all sectors of society.
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List of names of members of
the committee
Chairperson
Martha Kwataine of Malawi
Health Equity Network
 Vice Chair Edward Chikhwana of MANASO
 Secretariat;
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
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Committee members
Secretary for Health
 Secretary for Trade and Industry
 Secretary for Local Government
 Police Headquarters-HIV Section

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Committee Members
Link for Education Governance
 Public Affairs Committee
 Human Rights Consultative Committee
 Youth on the Move
 Care Malawi
 Outreach Scout Foundation (OSF)

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Some of the functions of the Task
Force on Alcohol Policy
To link civil society and non-governmental
organizations with the lead Ministry
 To strategize activities leading to the formulation
of the Alcohol Policy
 To coordinate National Alcohol Policy
consultation meetings
 To coordinate publicity programs of the policy.

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Why is it important for all
stakeholders’ involvement?


Acceptance and Ownership
Commitment
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Outcome
This has promoted wider participation of
various stakeholders including the
Government.
 Increased knowledge among CSOs (on
linkages of alcohol consumption, Health,
Social & Econ. Problems)

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Outcome
Collaboration among various stakeholders
and other partners.
 Interest by Ministry of Home Affairs
through the IMCDC to work with Civil
Society Organization as regards the
development of the Policy
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Outcome
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Increased mobilization of CSOs and
facilitated linkages between CSOs and the
Govt.
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Lessons learnt
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People are committed to participate in
addressing issues affecting them
Willingness of the Govt to support the initiative
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Lessons learnt

Individuals in Malawi do not appreciate
the dangers of the harmful use of alcohol
and silent negative contribution to
National development.
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What are some of the
challenges?

There is a fear from some quarters that
formulation of Alcohol Policy would
necessitate the ban on alcohol
consumption in Malawi.
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What are some of the
challenges?
Inadequate expertise in the Alcohol Policy
formulation and on its implementation.
 Resources.
 Society is not aware of the harm of use of
alcohol as this program is new in Malawi

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Recommendations

Capacity building at all levels (Task Force
Committee, secretariat and stakeholders)
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Recommendations
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Political will and commitment by the
Government and Legislative
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Recommendations

Combined efforts from all stakeholders
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Conclusion
The issue of harmful use alcohol is given less
attention yet it is one of the contributing factors
to poverty in Malawi.
 In an effort to achieve development in Malawi,
issues of alcohol consumption need to be taken
into consideration as well.
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THE END!
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Thank you for your attention
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