Women In Malawi Break Into Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Profession

By Mabvuto Kalawa, Correspondent, Malawi News Network

As the world marks World Refrigeration Day on June 26, a new generation of Malawian women is breaking into a trade long seen as “men’s work”: heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, HVAC&R.

The sector traces back to Willis Carrier, who invented modern air conditioning on June 26, 1902, about 124 years ago, never imagining that women would one day lead its growth.

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Even as their numbers grow, they are also battling cultural perceptions, cost constraints, and safety barriers to keep Malawi cool.

One such technician is Mrs. Chimwemwe Chibowa Kamvazaakazi, who works for Castel Malawi Ltd, a beer company formerly known as Carlsberg.

She was trained at Lilongwe Technical College.

At first she wanted to be an accountant, but she switched to an air conditioning course.

Mrs. Kamvazaakazi told this reporter that the profession has both successes and challenges.

On successes, she said the rewards have helped her economically and financially, and that one can be self-employed or employed, as she is.

She said she is proud to be in a profession that saves lives by servicing medical fridges and that also prevents vegetables from rotting.Chilomoni Women Applaud MP Noel Lipipa for Championing Girls’ Education

The job also involves travel, and she cited a trip to attend a United Nations meeting in Kigali as one of her highlights.

“I am also happy because this is a God-given job,” she said.

Challenges are real, she added.

“One of the challenges is that in this 21st century, people still think this is a male-dominated job,” she said.

“It is difficult for a female technician to be given a job. When I was joining, people laughed at me, and even my parents and relatives were not happy.”

She advised other girls to join the profession.

Her future plans are to own a company and to train other girls, especially vulnerable girls, and empower them.

There are over 300 registered women professionals in Malawi working in HVAC&R.

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This work also aligns with Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan III 2023–2030, which prioritizes quality of care and cold chain reliability.

Mrs. Kamvazaakazi concluded by saying, “Although it is challenging, commit your ways to the Lord always.”

She encouraged other girls not to listen to people who say women are weak.

“Join this profession. We are all equal to men. Take on the challenges,” she said.

As a country, are we treating these women as professionals?

Let us support them, because they are saving our lives.