Oxfam optimistic more women will join politics

Oxfam in Malawi has expressed optimism about increased participation of women and people living with disabilities in the upcoming 2025 general elections.

Speaking during an engagement with aspirants in Salima District, Oxfam Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said the groups have shown increased interest to contest for various positions.

She said they are working in partnership with Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Worlec) through a project Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy to address challenges that women and persons with disabilities face to hold political positions.

Said Mihowa: “We are optimistic that a lot of women and persons with disabilities will contest for different positions in the coming elections as many have shown interest and are able to speak out. Currently, we are calling upon the public to support these candidates in their political endeavours.”

She s a id put t ing women and persons with disabilities in law making positions is important as they will easily influence decision-making and mindset change.

However, chairperson of persons with physical disabilities in Salima District, Alexander Saidi, pointed out that lack of resources and information gaps hinder potential candidates from entering the political arena.

“Lack of resources and information gap is limiting a lot of people to contest in different political positions. There is also a societal attitude as many still regard women as house helpers and not leaders,” he said.

A parliamentary aspirant Sakina Chingomanje noted that there is lack of support for women which undermines their roles in decision-making.

“Mostly women do not receive support from stakeholders and the community; hence, are not treated as decision-makers in the communities,” she said