Nice drums up support for female candidates

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has asked stakeholders and well-wishers to provide resources to female candidates in Nkhotakota Liwaladzi Constituency. The call follows concerns that female candidates raised that they need resources to mount a successful campaign ahead of the March 17 by-elections. Among others, the resources include campaign materials and mobility resources to reach many voters.

The candidates, namely Aisha Silver (independent), Tilankhulenji Zelita Banda (independent) and Thokozire Lunji (Democratic Progressive Party), have already hit the campaign trail. But in an interview on Monday, Nkhotakota Nice programmes officer Hellina Mwimba bemoaned lack of resources to support female candidates’ campaign. “Lack of support from fellow women to vote for them, backbiting among the female aspirants and castigations from male aspirants are some notable challenges.

“We are conducting campaigns and would like to minimise null and void votes, as Nkhotakota is one of the districts experiencing more wastage of votes.” In a separate interview, Silver said she and her fellow female candidates need support to take their manifestos to voters. She said: “As a woman, I urge my fellow female candidates to run an issue-based campaign. We should focus on issues such as water challenges, education and healthcare.

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“About the campaign progress, I must say the response has been overwhelming, especially from women.” However, Silver admitted facing some challenges, including limited resources and gender biases. A youth Vitumbiko Gondwe from Mpaso Village, Traditional Authority Kanyenda encouraged female candidates to work hard to earn people’s confidence ahead of the by-elections. He said: “We know women candidates need material and moral support to run a competitive campaign. I call upon those who can support to step in so we can increase their chances of winning the by-election

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