Women Creatives Urged to Treat Art as Business

Women creatives in Malawi have been encouraged to take their art seriously and treat it as a business. This call was made during a workshop in Blantyre, which aimed to empower female creatives with knowledge and skills to succeed in the industry.

The workshop was part of a project on "Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Malawi's Cultural and Creative Sector." Facilitator Ezaius Mkandawire emphasized the importance of women artists taking their craft seriously and treating it as a business.

Mkandawire noted that many participants were unaware of laws and instruments that protect their art, such as the Electronic Transactions and Cybersecurity Act. This knowledge gap exacerbates cases of gender-based violence in the culture and creative sector.

The workshop empowered women creatives with knowledge on combating gender-based violence in the digital space. Book Publishers Association of Malawi (Bpam) President Maureen Masamba praised the workshop, saying it was timely and covered interesting topics for the growth of the creative sector.

The workshop also covered topics such as intellectual property and copyright law. The Department of Arts is implementing the project, which received a $100,000 grant from Unesco's International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).

By treating their art as a business, women creatives in Malawi can unlock new opportunities for growth and success. The workshop was a crucial step in empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the industry.