Malawi Congress Party (MCP) first deputy president Catherine Gotani-Hara says there is a need for women candidates to support each other for them to win and increase the female voice in Parliament.
Hara, who was also Speaker of Parliament during the 2019-2025 cohort , made the remarks on Monday during an all-women rally at Chinkhoma in Kasungu South East Constituency.
The rally, organised by the area’s MCP parliamentary candidate Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, was meant to provide a platform for interaction between the women voters and the party’s leadership.
In her address, Hara urged women to vote for Kandodo Chiponda, saying she has already demonstrated strong leadership as Minister of Health and to be an agent of development as the area’s legislator for the past 11 years.
“This rally targeted women because we understand that they are the biggest constituency of registered voters across the country. So, we wanted to urge them to support their fellow woman.
“We want to support each other so that we increase our voice in Parliament. Last time there were only 23 percent women MPs, but this time we want to have more,” said Hara.
MCP director of women Jean Sendeza also rallied support for MCP candidates, including President Lazarus Chakwera whom she described as a champion of gender equality and women empowerment.
“The President has always demonstrated that he has the promotion of women at his heart, manifested in the appointment of several female cabinet ministers,” she said.
On her part, Kandodo Chiponda said she planned the rally to interact with over 3 000 women who have registered in Chinkhoma area
