Political parties representatives in Mzimba have committed to support women, youth and people with disabilities who desire to contest for political positions in the September 16 General Election.
They said this on Wednesday in the district when Oxfam in Malawi in partnership with Women’s Legal Resources Centre (Wolrec) engaged the political parties representatives under its gender transformative and inclusive democracy project.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Mzimba district chairperson Kefasi Chisi, said the party is ready to work and support women, youth and people with disabilities to vie any political position.
She said: “Our doors are open because as MCP, we believe in promoting and giving women, youth and those with disabilities a chance to lead and take up decision making and leadership positions.
“Therefore, we are calling upon every female aspirant or a youth who wants to join politics and contest in the coming elections to come and join us.”
On his part, Democratic Progressive Party district governor Amos Mumba said his party does not believe in undermining or intimidating
women, youth and people with disabilities.
“Not only do we welcome women and youth to come and join us, but also, we will help in campaigning to change people’s mindset and perception on how they view women, youth and people with disabilities in politics,” he said.
Oxfam in Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said their project wants to create a conducive environment for female aspirants, youth and the marginalised group to build confidence in them to join politics and contest during the September general election.
“We are engaging these district party representatives because we want them to commit to support women and youth in politics and create a fairground for them to campaign freely without violence or intimidation,” she said.
In Mzimba, out of 11 members of Parliament and 22 ward councillors only two in either case are female
