JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – Malawi’s Senior Chief Kalonga of Salima is concerned with the low numbers of women interested in political activities and their exclusion overall.
The chief believes that political parties are not doing enough in encouraging more women to contest as Members of Parliament (MPs), urging them to lobby more women if the country is to mature in democracy.
“I am not happy with the number of women contesting as MPs in the district, I would be grateful if the numbers of women contesting as MPs were like that of those vying as councillors as well,” said Kalonga, urging that political parties should not only give women a chance to contest as councillors but members of parliament as well.
He was speaking during a review meeting held at Salima Community Hall which was organized by Pan African Civic Educators Network (PACENET) aimed at creating opportunities to increase women participation and representation in the electoral processes for 2019 polls.
Kalonga said excluding women in politics is bearing sad results as only two women will be contesting as MPs in the five constituencies of the district.
The chief further challenged all female aspirants to put much effort by coming up with attractive manifestos that can make more people to vote for them during the polls.
PACENET, Project Manager, Cassidy Magreta was quoted in the media saying women MPs and councillors are capable of initiating developments in their respective areas hence the need to promote women aspirants contesting as MPs as well as ward councillors and vote for them in multitude.
“Voters should have in mind that naturally women are the backbone of development starting from household to national level and if given chance to be in decision making positions the country will have meaningful development,” she said.
The meeting saw local leaders, community based organizations, department of gender and the media to map the way forward in making sure that there is 50-50 representation in Parliament as well as at council level coming together.
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