Where are women in politics?
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) held its elective convention from August 8-10 2024 at the Bicc in Lilongwe. Congratulations to all those who have won. Special congratulations to the women who have won and to all the women who were brave enough to put their names forward and compete. Even though you have not won, the fact that you were courageous enough to put your names forward and compete is a significant achievement and something that women in Malawi, regardless of political affiliation, applaud.
One thing that was clear from the MCP convention, which is not necessarily unique to the party, is the few women vying for positions. This has been a trend in most political parties where women often vie for smaller positions, either because those positions are meant for women such as the director of women and so on.
This is worrisome because women continue to be underrepresented in political leadership. Political parties have a critical role to play in encouraging women to take up political positions, including at the grassroots level. When women hold political offices, it ensures that the diverse perspectives of all citizens are included in decision-making processes. This is good for representation in democracy. As a country, our democratic system can only thrive when all voices are heard. When women compete for and attain high political positions, it strengthens the legitimacy of democratic institutions by reflecting the population’s true diversity.
This is why political parties should have deliberate policies in place to encourage women to take up political positions, even at the grassroots level. Encouraging women to participate in politics at the grassroots level will somehow help build a pipeline of experienced female leaders who can rise to higher positions in the future. This early involvement provides essential skills and experience in governance, public speaking, and leadership.
As it is evident from the just-concluded MCP convention, most of the women who vied for various positions were those who have been in politics for many years, gaining valuable experience, skills, and courage to compete. It is also clear that the women who contested had some sort of support and were already well-established, financially.
Political parties can encourage women to take up political positions by, among others, setting gender quotas and targets. Such gender quotas or targets for female representation can be established in local councils, committees, and candidate lists. This would ensure that women have a guaranteed space in the political process.
Parties can implement policies that support women’s participation, such as financial assistance for campaign costs, training programs, and childcare support. Surely there are some quite capable women whose only excuse for not actively participating in politics is the lack of childcare support. This, in the end, reduces the number of women participating in politics. Again, political parties should have initiatives aimed at women’s capacity-building and leadership training. Provide training programs focused on leadership, public speaking, and political strategy tailored specifically for women. This would help women build confidence and the necessary skills to succeed in politics.
Most importantly, address cultural and social barriers that prevent women from participating in politics. This can include tackling issues such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and traditional norms that limit women’s roles.
Political parties play a pivotal role in shaping the future of women’s participation in politics. By encouraging women to take up positions at the grassroots level, parties not only promote gender equality but also strengthen democracy, improve governance, and ensure that local issues are addressed effectively. This grassroots involvement is the foundation for building a more inclusive and representative political system, benefiting society as a whole.
