BLANTYRE, Malawi, Oct 9 (Reuter) - Malawi President Bakili Muluzi called for an end to abuse of women, including outdated traditions that promoted violence against them.
"There is nothing in the culture that says women are inferior and they should be looked down upon," Muluzi said in a radio address marking the country's Mothers' Day holiday.
Muluzi said men who sexually abused women or used any form of violence against them would face stiff punishment.
"In recent times we have heard of incidents where women are subjected to sexual assault and rape even in public places while members of the public watch indifferently," Muluzi said.
He also called for an end to traditional practices that promoted violence against women.
"These practices must be discarded for the women of Malawi to enjoy the full human rights that everyone is entitled to," Muluzi added.
Muluzi said that in the past under Malawi tradition it was acceptable for men to have extramarital sex with women to cleanse "bad omens." Tradition also allowed women whose husbands were unable to father children to have sex with other men. Reut10:52 10-09-95
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