Malawi
Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 153, 156 and 137A of the Penal Code (inherited from the 1891 British Protectorate), with penalties up to 14 years' imprisonment for men and 5 years for women. There is no legal recognition of same-sex unions (the 2015 Marriage Act explicitly bans them). The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) advisory. We recommend consulting official sources before planning any travel.
Legal framework · Malawi
LGBT
identity
Criminalized · up to 14 years' imprisonment
Penal Code, Sections 153, 156 and 137A · up to 14 years for men and 5 for women
Partnership
recognition
Not recognized
No same-sex marriage or civil union · explicitly banned by the 2015 Marriage Act
Official sources
check before traveling to Malawi
Foreign affairs ministries publish updated travel advisories. For destinations with restrictive legal frameworks we recommend consulting several official sources before planning.