Women’s Legal Resources Centre (Wolrec) has intensified a campaign to mobilise support for women aspirants in Rumphi District ahead of the September 16 General Election.
The campaign, dubbed Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy, is supporting women, youths and people with disabilities interested to contest in the general election.
In Rumphi District, 17 women have expressed interest to run for parliamentary and local government positions.
Speaking on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting in Rumphi, Wolrec representative Julie Simbeye urged various stakeholders such as the police, chiefs and others to provide a conducive environment for women to compete.
“There should be a level playing field to enable women aspirants campaign freely,” she said.
In his remarks, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe assured the women of his support.
“I am optimistic that people in Rumphi will elect a female representative at council level or for Parliament in September,” he said.
Rumphi district commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu asked the aspirants to align their campaign messages with the country’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063.
One of the aspirants, Thandie Kondowe, who has expressed interest to contest for a parliamentary seat in Rumphi East, said women face various challenges, including resource constraints and intimidation from their male counterparts.
She commended the European Union-funded project’s commitment to help women aspirants with campaign resources.
Another aspirant Blessed Chirambo, who said she will contest for a local government seat in Mayembe-Chozoli Ward in Rumphi Central Constituency, said the project will open doors for women to take up leadership positions in politics.
