Ihram Writivism Influencer Mbizo Chirasha in a Candid Conversation with a Prolific Madagascar Writer Miora Rakoto

MC: Who is Miora Rakoto and what is she doing currently?
Miora Rakoto: Miora Rakotomalala is a Malagasy writer, humanitarian professional, and inclusion advocate. She currently works as a Program Manager for an international NGO, where she coordinates an empowerment project for persons with disabilities. Alongside her professional duties, she continues to write fiction and is actively involved in literary events and advocacy work.

MC: How long have you been writing?
Miora Rakoto: I started writing at the age of eight and have been writing ever since—so it's been over 30 years.

MC: Where are your writings published? List the publications.
Miora Rakoto: My short story "Ce sera vite oublié" was selected for the CANEX anthology (2024). I regularly share my writing through literary workshops and events. Since I resumed my writing activities in 2025, I have not yet been published, but some of my works have been sent to local publishing houses and are awaiting publication.

MC: How are writers, poets, and artists treated in Madagascar?
Miora Rakoto: In Madagascar, writers and artists are often undervalued and receive limited institutional support. Most struggle to publish or live from their art, as the local publishing industry is small and tends to prioritize religious or educational content. However, there is a vibrant community of creatives striving to make space for diverse voices and narratives.

MC: How many writers' organisations are currently operating in Madagascar?
Miora Rakoto: There are a few formal writers’ organizations in Madagascar (Havatsa UPEM, Faribolana Sandratra, MALAMA, …) but they remain underfunded and fragmented. Most literary initiatives rely on informal networks or international support to function.

MC: How many books have you written so far?
Miora Rakoto: I have written two completed novels Au rythme de ton silence and La bonne fille, which are awaiting publication, and I am currently working on another social novel titled Les dits commandements. A collection of short stories, Les délicieuses douleurs, is also in progress, as well as a new story, Les oubliés du Diasoa, which is still in its early stages.

MC: Have you won any writers’, poetry or book prizes?
Miora Rakoto: Not yet, but having Ce sera vite oublié selected for the CANEX anthology is a significant recognition of my work.

MC: In your writings are you touching on gender and social justice?
Miora Rakoto: Yes. My work often focuses on themes of gender, disability, and social justice. I explore the experiences of marginalized people, particularly women and families dealing with invisible disabilities, and challenge societal norms through storytelling.

MC: How do you respect freedom of speech or expression in your country?
Miora Rakoto: Freedom of expression exists in Madagascar, but it is often limited by social pressure, political sensitivities, and a lack of platforms for independent voices. I respect and advocate for free expression by using literature as a way to question, resist, and inspire change—especially through fiction that speaks truth in subtle, powerful ways.

A 40-year-old Malagasy, Mi RAVAO, her pen name, and Miora RAKOTOMALALA, her real name, is a passionate writer and the mother of an autistic teenager, project coordinator, and inclusion advocate. She uses both her pen and her field experience to serve social causes, particularly around disability rights and gender justice. A lifelong storyteller, she writes novels, plays, short stories, and poetry that challenge dominant narratives and give voice to the unheard. Passionate about the world of books, she also worked at the Institut Français de Madagascar on the Ressources Educatives project, which promotes reading among young people in schools and libraries. This experience strengthened her skills in organizing events and activities around books for young readers. Her short story Ce sera vite oublié was selected for the CANEX anthology in 2024. Her upcoming novel, Au rythme de ton silence, explores the experience of parents raising a child with an invisible disability. She is also working on a second novel about gender-based violence in Madagascar. Former founder of Autisme Madagascar, Miora has led numerous advocacy and training programs. She is currently a Program Manager at an International NGO, working on disability empowerment. Through writing and activism, she believes in the transformative power of words to build more inclusive communities.