Mhrc hits at Parliament for sidelining women in probe

Taxpayer-funded Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has hit at Parliament for the gender-insensitive ad hoc committee picked to investigate the military plane crash that killed former vice-president Saulos Chilima and eight others in June 2024. In a letter dated March 26, 2026 addressed to the Clerk of Parliament Fiona Kalemba, MHRC chairperson Chikondi Chijozi-Jere said the committee’s composition does not comply with requirements of Section 11 of the Gender Equality Act (2013); hence, not gender compliant. Among others, Section 11 of the Gender Equality Act mandates a 60/40 gender quota in public service recruitment, ensuring neither gender holds less than 40 percent of positions for equitable representation.

Of the 13 committee members, only one is female, representing 7.6 percent. This means to meet the 40 percent target of female representation, the committee would need five to six female legislators. The 7.6 percent is also well below 21 percent female representation in the current 2025-2030 Parliament cohort, which has 49 women.

Legislators making up the committee include Gilbert Khonyongwa, Chipalamoto Nkhwazi, James Mpunga and Dumisani Lindani from the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); Ismail Mkumba from United Democratic Front (UDF) and People’s Party’s (PP) Beatrice Mwale. From Malawi Congress Party (MCP), there is Joshua Malango, Jivason Kadzipatike and Mphatso Boti. Independent legislators are Walter Nyamilandu Manda, Dailes Moses Bengo and Savel Kafwafwa.

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Chijozi-Jere argued that such a composition is unacceptable and should be corrected. “The commission notes that while political parties may have been invited to nominate members of the committee, the legal obligation to comply with gender representation requirements rests with the appointing authority responsible for constituting the committee,” she said in the letter. “In this regard, anybody or office that formalises such appointments, including Parliament or the Office of the Speaker, must ensure adherence to the Gender Equality Act.” She has since asked Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman and Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda to immediately take corrective measures.

She further said it is in the interest of MHRC to uphold gender equality and constitutional governance. When contacted on Friday, Parliament’s spokesperson Ian Mwenye said he needed more time before commenting.

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