NGOs urged to empower women in politics in Dedza

Traditional and religious leaders in Dedza District have asked non-governmental organisations (NGOs) supporting women in politics to empower them with knowledge and skills to excel. They said this on Thursday when Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Wolrec) and Oxfam in Malawi engaged traditional, religious and political party leaders to support women in politics. The workshop in Traditional Authority Kachindamoto came ahead of a by-election in Dedza Mtakataka Constituency slated for March 17.

In his remarks, Mtakataka CCAP elder Daniel Demister Phiri said there was a need for people to change their mindset towards women in politics. He called upon organisations and other stakeholders to continue with awareness campaigns, even after elections. Responding to the call, Dedza National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust programmes officer Vincent Kalawa pledged their support towards such initiatives.

“When we are talking about the development blue print, we are talking about leaving no one behind, so we pledge our support to ensure that women participate in politics without many challenges,” he said. Kalawa asked traditional leaders in Mtakataka for a violence-free by-election to enable women, youths and people with disabilities campaign freely ahead of the by-election. Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Dedza Diocese programmes manager Horace Kasudze said they are always on the ground preaching about the importance of including the marginalised in political leadership positions.