Joyce Banda is a Malawian politician and the first female President of Malawi. She served from April 2012 to May 2014, following the death of her predecessor, Bingu wa Mutharika. Before becoming president, Banda held various government positions, including Minister of Gender, Children, and Community Development. Banda is known for her advocacy for women's rights and economic development. She founded the Joyce Banda Foundation to support education and empower women. Her leadership focused on improving Malawi's economy and addressing issues like poverty and gender inequality, making her a significant figure in African politics.