Glenda Anderson, Staff Reporter
FROM CHILDHOOD, Miriam Maluwa, UNAIDS's newly appointed senior representative in the Caribbean, dreamed of being an actress or singer.
The haunting was so strong that after graduating law school and even after acquiring her Masters Degree in Law she continued her childhood passions singing, occasional drama stints, even radio acting in on air soaps.
But it was social and human rights issues which grabbed, and held the attention of Maluwa, the young professional. It was this that fuelled her campaign for the less fortunate and led her to give of her time and talent to providing free legal services for persons living with HIV/AIDS, abused women and children.
Earlier this year, after serving as head of UNAIDS Legal and Human Rights unit since 1998 and being UN Adviser in Geneva Switzerland since 1996, Maluwa was elected country representative for Jamaica, the Bahamas and Cuba.
CONFIDENT AND READY
Today, clad in a pin striped black pants suit, and two months into the job, the diminutive powerhouse is warm in her welcome, confident and ready she says for the challenge of spearheading the first ever UNAIDS presence in the island. British-born and British trained, of Malawian heritage, ,she returned from England as a young woman to discover her Malawi roots. Her laughter is quick although her words are crisp and very controlled as she skirts personal questions including her age.
"I like to keep people guessing," she quips, huge eyes shining. Still colleague, Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF representative in Jamaica and chair of the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in Jamaica, says when it comes to the task at hand she is meticulous and focused.
"She's very energetic, very committed and very professional in what she does," he summed. "On the personal side she is a very friendly person who is very open minded, and very willing to reach out to persons in the varying sectors in society." (The two have worked together very closely the last 2 months when Bainvel chaired the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in Jamaica ). Maluwa says she plans to work closely with local individuals and groups to promote UNAIDS' work and mission.
EVIDENT
"I think the successes here are very evident. There is a very AIDS comprehensive program in place. My approach is to come up with a process of better understanding and defining the needs of Jamaica and provide leadership in Jamaica for the UN to respond to those needs," she said.
Last Friday she stopped for a few questions in her temporary office at the UNDP complex on Lady Musgrave Road in Kingston before heading off to Geneva, Switzerland in late evening.
MALUWA ON JAMAICA
"I love the people. I think they are very warm, there is a lot of energy in the people. It's an inclusive society I don't feel like a foreigner here and that's important to me. I love the weather, after working for so long in Europe its something I really appreciate.
LETTING HER HAIR DOWN.
"I believe in working hard and playing hard ... safely. I visit the gym regularly or work out for at least half an hour each morning. I love playing tennis, love watching hockey, love music and drama.
HER TASTEBUDS
Because I have so many medical allergies to seafood, fish and pork, food for me is very practical, so I'm really confined to vegetables and chicken.
HER CAREER
A trained lawyer with 18 years experience in legal and human rights work, including in the context of HIV and AIDS.
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCES INCLUDE
UNAIDS senior adviser, Law and Human Rights (1998-2004) based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Secretary for UNAIDS Ethical Review Committee (Geneva, Switzerland) 1998-2002
Co-ordinator of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - Plan for Rights of the Child. (Geneva Switzerland 1996-1997)
Chairperson of the Malawi National Aids Board (1993-1995)
Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (Geneva, Switzerland (1993-1995)
Legal practitioner (1986-1994).
Consultant on legal and human rights issues for the European Union, UNDP, British Council, ILO and UNICEF.
