14 Facts About Vera Chirwa

Vera Mlangazua Chirwa was born on 26 May 1932 and is a Malawi-born lawyer and human and civil rights activist.

Vera Chirwa was Malawi's first woman lawyer and a founding member of the Malawi Congress Party and the Nyasaland African Women's League.

Vera Chirwa fought for multiparty democratic rule in Malawi and was charged with treason, tried and sentenced to death by President Kamuzu Banda.

Vera Chirwa was married to lawyer Orton Chirwa, Malawian Minister of Justice and Attorney General, who later died in prison.

Vera Chirwa became Nyasaland's first woman lawyer, and was a founding member of the Malawi Congress Party in 1959.

An unsigned statement said to have been made by Orton Vera Chirwa, but repudiated by him, and a transcript said to have been made of a taped interview he had given were admitted as evidence.

The death sentences were commuted, but Orton Vera Chirwa later died in prison.

Vera Chirwa was subjected to torture and other forms of brutality.

Vera Chirwa slept on the cement floor, refused to eat the vile food, and was denied visitors, letters from her husband and the right to go outside.

Vera Chirwa remained in prison on death row for 12 years but remained hopeful for release.

Vera Chirwa founded the NGO Malawi Centre for Advice, Research and Education on Rights and heads this organization.

Vera Chirwa campaigned for an end of the death penalty.

Vera Chirwa continued her fight for human and political rights under the Bakili Muluzi and the Bingu wa Mutharika governments.

Vera Chirwa continues to fight for political rights and has attempted to stand as an independent candidate for president, a challenging task in a country with a party system for someone who is not an established politician.