Parliamentary and local government elections aspirants in Mzimba have commended Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Wolrec) and Oxfam in Malawi for supporting their cause.
Speaking during a community dialogue on Monday at Luwerezi Trading Centre in Mzimba, group village head Bungamoto Kumwenda commended the organisations for promoting inclusive democracy.
He said: “This dialogue helps the community to develop strategies to support women, people living with disabilities and the youth in vying for political office. It’s time we stopped underestimating these groups.
“In fact, our constituency saw significant development under a female member of Parliament Deliwe Ngoma.”
The chief emphasised the importance of creating space for underrepresented groups in leadership.
Luwerezi Women Forum chairperson Polina Banda said the initiative is helping to draw support for women aspirants.
“We will campaign for our fellow women. We know the challenges they face such as lack of funding, low self-esteem and deep-rooted gender biases but we are determined,” she said.
National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Mzimba district civic education officer Aaron
Luhanga described the dialogues as important.
“These meetings create awareness, build confidence and challenge stereotypes. Women and youths are capable of delivering development projects just as men. We at Nice will continue working with Wolrec and Oxfam in Malawi to support the project,” he said.
With funding from the European Union, Oxfam in Malawi and Worlec are implementing the Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi Project that seeks to support women, youths and people with disabilities contesting in the September 16 General Election.
