Chanika sees no hope for female councillors

Gender activist Emmie Chanika says Malawians should not expect to see many women becoming councillors during the May 20 Tripartite Elections.

Chanika said this on Saturday in Lunzu during a 50-50 campaign talk for aspiring parliamentarians and ward councillors which was organised by the Civil Liberties Committee (Cilic).

She said although the country has many capable women, they have not been supported.

Chanika added that the authorities have not created a level playing field for women to successfully compete for both parliamentary and ward positions ahead of the elections.

She said the previous Local Government Elections registered a five percent women representation; hence, she said she anticipates that the situation will not improve in the May 20 elections.

“We are complaining that huge sums of money have been stolen from government. The reason is simple; there are many men in charge. I believe if we can vote for many women in office, Malawi will be a changed nation,” said Chanika.

She also asked female aspirants to sell themselves to the masses to win.

Cilic project officer Felix Chikalira said most female aspirants are contesting as independent candidates after being demoralised by their political parties.

“The environment is not attractive for female [aspirants] and it is demoralising.

Organisations that were supposed to campaign for women are nowhere to be seen. We have failed as a country,” he said.