Women feel the pain with fuel shortage - December 2009

By Sam Banda Jnr

Shortage of fuel, especially diesel, has hit Malawi hard over the past few weeks.

Whilst this problem has affected everyone, women are particularly feeling the pinch in terms of getting to work very late.

Minibuses which are currently moving are the ones running on petrol, and women are battling every morning to get to work on time.

Chipiliro Kansilanga is a young journalist working for Blantyre Newspapers, who says the fuel shortage has brought about transport problems.

"For instance you have to wait for the bus for hours and by the time you jump into one, you are already late for work. Some have had to face the wrath of the bosses," says Kansilanga.

The Malawi government has assured the country that the problem will be solved, but so far it is continuing and it is not yet known when the situation will normalise.