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Parties unite against police

Political parties in the country yesterday put aside their differences to demand police action on rising incidence of political violence targeting women.

In a rare sight outside Parliament, representatives of the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) shared the same podium with their counterparts from opposition parties, notably Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), Alliance for Democracy (Aford), UTM Party, People’s Party (PP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during a press conference hosted by the NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN), the Women’s Manifesto Movement and the African Leadership Network, among other gender-related civil society organisations (CSOs).

Directors of women from major political parties show solidarity at the briefing. | Courtesy of Wolrec

The party representatives, predominantly directors of women’s affairs, accused the police of being a spectator while lawlessness deepens its roots on the political sphere.

DPP director of women Mary Navicha said despite Police Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu being a woman, women continue to suffer attacks on the political front, in some cases under the watch of police officers.

She said: “We urge our Inspector General of Police to wake up and protect the women. It is not right that women should be attacked while police officers, who are expected to protect them, are watching.

“There are many cases where police have not shown action. For example, our member Brenda Saidi was shot at Area 3 in Lilongwe, but to date there is no statement from police.”

Her UDF counterpart Aisha Adams said some cases of violence perpetrated against women happen in the presence of the police.

She cited the attack on women in MCP colours in Ndirande, Blantyre, on John Chilembwe Day on January 15, saying it happened near a police formation.

Said Adams: “Something needs to be done urgently. Each time we hear of violent attacks on women in the name of politics, we expect  action from the police but to our surprise, there is nothing.

“Government should do something about this so that the forthcoming campaign period should be conducive for women.”

Chipping in, Aford director of women Deliwe Ngoma said the party lost its member, a woman, who sustained injuries when Aford members were attacked in Mponela, Dowa last May.

She said: “She was buried on Tuesday. These people were attacked for simply singing party songs. The police were there, but they did nothing, now our member is gone.

“Are we going to continue like this? If violence against women continues during this election period, we are going to call upon all women to withdraw their participation.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by UTM Party director of women Cecilia Mandambwe who accused the police of being complicit.

Other directors of women present at the briefing were PDP’s Clair Kachapira, Beatrice Mwale of PP and Jean Sendeza of MCP, who presided over the event in her capacity as Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare.

The women expressed worry that the continued political attacks on women may discourage more women from participating in politics, especially vying for various political positions, thereby defeating the purpose the 50:50 Campaign which strives to balance the political leadership positions between men and women.

In reaction, national police spokesperson Peter Kalaya distanced the law enforcement agency from the political parties’ accusations. He said political party leaders deliberately incite violence only to blame the police later.

Speaking in an interview, he said police are doing their best to contain political violence at any level, not just against women.

He was apparently referring to the attack on MCP women in Ndirande on their way from John Chilembwe Day celebrations. Mulanje Bale legislator Victor Musowa (DPP) is on record as having ordered his party’s supporters to attack any person shouting the MCP’s ‘kwacha!’ slogan.

During the briefing, the NGO-GCN and its partner CSOs issued a joint statement condemning all forms of political violence against women.

In an interview later, NGO-GCN board chairperson Maggie Kathewera Banda said all concerns raised by the political parties represent their understanding and perceptions and, as such, the group will engage relevant authorities and the police on the issues.

Malawi will hold a general election on September 16 this year to elect President, members of Parliament and ward councillors.

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