As Malawi prepares for the upcoming general election scheduled for September 16, the political climate is once again proving hostile for many female aspirants. They continue encountering threats, intimidation, smear campaigns, online harassment and even physical attacks.
This shows how deep rooted the situation remains, compounded by cultural norms that continue to cast politics as a male domain. It also shows that political systems continue to fail women, in regards to protection—the same opportunity accorded to men. Some incidents are orchestrated by political opponents seeking to weaken their rivals, others by community members who view ambitious women as defying traditional gender roles. The effect, however, is the same: fear, silence and retreat from public life.
We cannot underestimate what is at stake. When female candidates are bullied out of the race, entire communities lose the chance for inclusive policies and priorities that, among others, reflect their experiences from maternal health and education to agricultural support and market access. Malawi’s Constitution guarantees equality, yet our practice of democracy continues to favour those with muscle, money and male networks.
I saw a comment on Facebook where an aspiring female candidate shared her manifesto. The comments were so harsh, with some mocking her that she belongs in the kitchen. These kinds of comments were obviously a demotivation and might have even affected her mentally.
To reverse this trend, urgent measures are needed. Political parties must publicly denounce and discipline perpetrators of violence within their ranks. Law enforcement must treat politically—motivated violence, including online threats as serious crimes, not “party issues.”
Electoral authorities and civil society should create safe reporting channels, while the media must spotlight not only incidents of violence, but also the courage of women who persist in spite of it.
Democracy cannot thrive when half of its citizens are pushed to the sidelines. The time to protect women in politics is not after tragedy strikes, but now, while aspirants are stepping forward with hope and vision. Protecting them is not only a matter of justice; it is a safeguard for the democratic future of Malawi.
