Ntcheu commended for embracing 50:50 Campaign
Youth Initiative for Community Development (Yicod), a local youth-led organisation working in Ntcheu and Dedza, has commended people of Ntcheu for embracing the 50:50 representation.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Yicod team leader Andrew Bwanali said Ntcheu has been lagging behind in terms of electing women into political leadership positions as 10 years have passed since the district had a female parliamentarian.
“The 2019 elections have brought a new breath as Ntcheu Bwanje North has a women parliamentarian Nancy Chaola-Mdooko [Independent] while Stella Mpasu and Flaness Dafuleni-Kampeni [UTM Party] have made it as councillors for Dzunje and Kandeu wards, respectively,” he said.
However, he said Yicod, as the implementing partner for the 50:50 Campaign programme in Ntcheu and Dedza, was not happy that Dedza failed to retain two women representatives, namely parliamentarian Juliana Lunguzi and Evelyn Tafatatha who was contesting as a councillor for Malembo Ward.
Chaola-Mdooko, speaking in a separate interview, said issue-based campaign has helped her triumph over others.
“I am a citizen of this constituency. Both my parents come from this constituency. I, therefore, have a very special attachment to this area and I know it needs political leadership renewal. It needs a development-conscious representative who understands this area,” she said.
Yicod was implementing the 50:50 Campaign through Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
The late Marjorie Ngaunje, who was parliamentarian for Bwanje South Constituency between 2004 and 2009, was the last woman to have represented the district in Parliament
