Wolrec urges citizen participation in Neno

Women’s Legal Resources Centre (Worlec) has conducted meetings in Neno focusing on citizen participation following concerns that majority of development activities in the district lack consultation and involvement of the beneficiaries.

The meeting was attended by Neno North legislator ThokoTembo, Chilibondo Ward councillor Montfort Bwanali and 50 women representatives from Senior Chief Dambe’s area.

Worlec project officer for Neno Patience Kaphalanya said her organisation noted that most people in the district have no idea that it is their right to hold their leaders accountable by making follow-ups on promises made during campaign.

She said taking office-bearers to the people is one way of reinstating people’s power.

Kaphalanya added that meetings between public officers and citizens empower grassroot communities to understand the procedures that are followed in development activities implementation.

“The active consultation and participation of citizens in determining area priorities can improve development ownership of the targeted communities,” she said.

Kaphalanya also encouraged women to take positions in development committees so that they can influence decision-making at council or community level.

During the meeting, women representatives voiced their concerns regarding lack of access to Admarc markets, clean water, availability of secondary schools and road infrastructure.

Grace Samuel from Kaingilira Village, who represented girls in her village, said they need a community technical college in the district.

“There is no difference between us who have an MSCE [Malawi School Certificate of Education] and those who did not go to school because we are both staying idle in the village. We want to see a change,” she said.

In response, Tembo acknowledged that the issues raised by the women and girls were relevant and he promised to make a follow-up to address them.