CCJP trains volunteers on electoral laws

 The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese has trained 18 volunteers in Senior Chief Kameme in Chitipa District on electoral laws.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday after the training, CCJP gender coordinator Janet Mhango said the knowledge will help volunteers conduct awareness campaigns ahead of the 2025 Tripartite Election.

“We have trained the volunteers on the barriers women face during the electoral period. As such, the volunteers will now know how best they can promote women’s participation in politics,” she said.

Mhango said her organisation expects the volunteers to engage community and religious leaders as well as structures such as area and village development committees

 village development committees.

“At the end of the day, we want the structures and local leaders to encourage women to go and vote in large numbers,” she said.

Chitipa district gender officer James Gubudu said it was important for women to participate in politics.

“With support from traditional leaders and local structures, the volunteers, will help to provide women aspirants platforms to campaign,” said Gubudu.

 One of the volunteers, Annet Phiri, assured the district team that they will engage communities on the importance of voting for women candidates in 2025.

Chitipa has three female councillors out of 10 wards and no female member of Parliament in all five constituencies.

CCJP started the project in November 2023 and it will end in October 31 2024 with funding from the United Nation Development Programme