Non-Governmental Organisations Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has called on political parties and the police to take stern action on political violence, saying continued cases of violence are a threat to democracy.
Addressing the press in Lilongwe on Saturday, NGO-GCN chairperson Maggie Kathewera Banda expressed worry that despite commitments from political parties and the police to protect women in politics, there are still cases of violence targeting women.
She pointed out that the country has recorded a number of cases of violence against women, including the recent vandalism of vehicles belonging to women members of Parliament (MPs) at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe, the physical assault of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) publicity secretary Jessie Kabwira in Machinga, coordinated digital harassment against former president Joyce Banda, undressing of MCP women in Ndirande, Blantyre and other cases.
The chairperson added that there are many other women that are also suffering in silence, observing that violence frustrates women from participating in politics and other decision-making processes, and that the country’s democracy cannot thrive if half of its population is silenced.
Said Kathewera Banda: “For us, such violence is not merely political but it is also a moral crisis. It violates the Constitution’s promise of equality and betrays Malawi’s ratification of regional and international agreements to advance women’s rights.
“The Gender Equality Act of 2013 rings hollow when women cannot campaign, vote, or lead without risking their safety.”
She has since called on various stakeholders, political parties, including leaders, Parliament, law enforcement agencies, faith and community leaders, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to play a role in ending violence against women in politics.
Said Kathewera Banda: “The September 2025 General Election must reflect our nation’s values—not its failures. Let us honour Women’s Month [March] not with empty gestures, but with concrete action. Together, we can ensure that no woman risks her safety to serve her country.”
In an interview, Malawi Police Service spokesperson Peter Kalaya said the police is committed to ensuring the safety of women in politics, adding the police are already taking action to help end violence against women.
“We have acted on all cases of violence against women. The incident in Blantyre where women were harassed, we arrested the suspects and they are appearing before court,” he said.
Various organisations in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare are pushing for 50 percent representation of women in leadership positions, especially elected positions in Parliament and local councils.
However, political violence is one of the factors that affect empowerment of women.
