Joyce Banda — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Served as the fourth President of Malawi (2012-2014), becoming the country's first female president.
Founded the Joyce Banda Foundation, National Association of Business Women (NABW), Young Women Leaders Network, and The Hunger Project.
Led the People's Party since its creation in 2011.
Enforced the 2006 Domestic Violence Bill and designed the National Platform for Action on Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
Named the 40th most powerful woman in the world and the most powerful woman in Africa by Forbes in 2014.
Holds a bachelor's degree in social science from Atlantic International University and a master's degree in arts from Royal Roads University.

Biography

Joyce Hilda Banda is a Malawian politician, educator, and activist who served as the fourth president of Malawi from 2012 to 2014. She became president following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika, under whom she had served as the fourth vice president from 2009 to 2012.