In a world where stories of single motherhood are often shrouded in silence, shame, and struggle, one Malawian woman is boldly stepping forward to give voice to the millions who suffer quietly. Venia Bakali, a resilient mother, survivor, and advocate, is set to launch her much-anticipated book titled “Solo with a Purpose” — a powerful and deeply personal narrative highlighting the hidden realities and silent battles of single mothers across Malawi and Africa at large.
The official launch will take place on 28th June in Blantyre during a special event dedicated to celebrating and uplifting single mothers. More than just a book launch, the event is poised to be a moment of reflection, healing, and collective empowerment for women who have experienced abandonment, emotional trauma, and societal rejection while raising children on their own.
A Personal Story with a Universal Message.
Bakali’s motivation to write the book stems from her own painful experiences. In an interview with Zodiak Broadcasting Station, she shared that she had endured betrayal, physical and emotional abuse, and total abandonment by the father of her child. What makes “Solo with a Purpose” stand out is not only its raw honesty but its intention: to reach out to fellow women walking the same lonely and treacherous path.
The book captures the grit, courage, and spiritual endurance it takes to navigate motherhood without the support of a partner — a reality too familiar for countless women in Malawi and across the African continent. It offers hope, spiritual encouragement, and a call for single mothers to embrace their journey with dignity and purpose.
The Reality of Single Motherhood in Africa.
Venia Bakali’s story is a mirror reflecting the lived reality of thousands of women in Africa who are left to raise children alone due to a variety of reasons — from abandonment and divorce to widowhood and teenage pregnancy.
Economic hardship is one of the most immediate and devastating consequences. Without a second income or partner support, many single mothers are forced into low-paying informal work, juggling childcare with long hours and unpredictable earnings.
Even more painful is the stigma they face. In many traditional societies, an unmarried or divorced mother is often viewed as a failure, immoral, or irresponsible. This social shaming leads to isolation, anxiety, and depression. It’s not uncommon for women to be chased away from family homes, denied access to land, or mistreated by their in-laws after separation or the death of a partner.
Furthermore, legal and institutional support for single mothers remains weak. While some countries have laws mandating child support, enforcement is minimal. Mental health services and social welfare programs for single parents are virtually non-existent in many parts of Africa.
A Voice for the Voiceless.
In this context, “Solo with a Purpose” is more than a memoir. It’s a movement. A literary and spiritual offering aimed at healing broken spirits and encouraging single mothers to reclaim their narrative.
Venia Bakali does not stop at writing. She is also the founder of the Single Mother Empowerment Organization (SME-Org), an initiative dedicated to empowering single mothers through mentorship, entrepreneurship training, mental health support, and advocacy.
SME-Org’s work fills a crucial gap, offering practical help and emotional refuge. It recognizes that while single mothers may lack a supportive partner, they don’t have to walk alone. Bakali’s work advocates for a society where single motherhood is not a sentence to shame, but a testimony of strength and resilience.
A Launch That Marks a New Chapter.
The upcoming event in Blantyre promises to be an emotional yet empowering occasion. It is not just a book launch, but a public declaration that single mothers matter — their pain, their stories, and their victories.
The event will bring together single mothers from different backgrounds, along with thought leaders, faith-based organizations, community advocates, and youth. It will serve as a reminder that the journey of single motherhood, though heavy, is one filled with purpose and potential.
This moment is especially important in a country like Malawi, where social norms are still deeply patriarchal and where the voices of women — especially those seen as “outside” traditional family structures — are often silenced.
A Call for Broader Change.
Bakali’s initiative should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, churches, NGOs, and communities to step up and support single mothers. Whether through legal reform to enforce child support laws, improved access to education and health services, or simply offering social support and inclusion, much more can and must be done.
The book “Solo with a Purpose” offers more than just stories. It gives practical spiritual encouragement to women who may feel rejected or forgotten — reminding them that motherhood is not diminished by the absence of a man.
Venia Bakali’s story — and her new book — exemplifies how personal pain can become public purpose. Through her voice, thousands of others will find the courage to speak, to heal, and to lead. In a society that often marginalizes women raising children on their own, Bakali has lit a fire that we all must keep burning.
To every single mother who has ever felt alone, broken, or invisible — Solo with a Purpose is for you. And thanks to voices like Venia Bakali’s, Africa is slowly but surely learning to see you not with pity, but with honor.
