Grace Chiumia, is a Malawian politician who has served as Minister of Civic education in the Malawian cabinet, since 24 October 2017. Before her current appointment, she was the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, in the Malawian Cabinet, from 6 September 2016 until 24 October 2017.[2]
Chiuma is a medical nurse and malaria coordinator from Mzuzu.[3] She was elected to the National Assembly to represent the Nkhata Bay West district at the May 2009 election.[3][4] She was given the nickname "Obama" in 2008 by the people of her constituency as the first woman to run to represent them.[1][5] She successfully ran against eight men.[6]
In 2010, Chiumia attended Voluntary Service Overseas's MP training in Pretoria to assist parliamentarians to be more articulate on issues around HIV and AIDS policy implementation.[6]
Chiumia was appointed Minister of Sports and Culture in August 2015,[7][8] She was appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in PresidentPeter Mutharika's cabinet in September 2016.[9] She is the youngest minister in the Malawian cabinet.[10] She is also the deputy government chief whip[11] and deputy secretary general of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.[10]
In November 2016, Chiumia faced demonstrations from Karonga residents over the reallocation of the Dzaleka refugee camp to Katili.[12][13]
Chiumia was widowed in 2004. After meeting Reverend Fred Garry from Watertown First Presbyterian Church in New York State, she helped start the Women of Grace Widows' Fund. She also has a daughter.[2] She married Sam Chirwa in July 2011.[2][3]
^ abTodd Moe (27 October 2009). "More help and hope for Malawi". North Country Public Radio. Canton, New York State, United States. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
^ abc"Grace Chiumia". Canton, New York State, United States: Women of Grace Widows Fund. 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
^Madden, Rebecca (5 January 2012). "Malawi Visitors Thanking Benefactors". Daily Courier Observer. Massena, New York State, United States. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
