Proponents of increased female representation in politics have encouraged women aspirants in the September 16 2025 General Election to be resilient and develop issue-based campaign messages that resonate with the electorate.
Former Cabinet minister Patricia Kaliati and National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust executive director Gray Kalindekafe made the call yesterday in Blantyre during a capacity building training for women aspirants.
Delivering a keynote speech during the training, Kaliati said women vying for parliamentary or ward councillor seats face challenges such as threats, lack of financial resources and verbal abuse.
However, she said these challenges should not deter them but be a motivation to fight on.
“The women need to do research on various issues, know how to articulate their policies, be approachable and take part in various development activities in your areas,” said Kaliati.
In his address, Kalindekafe said the women should understand community demographics, identify challenges specific to their areas and develop policies that address the community needs.
He said the aspirants should also have slogans, develop consistent messaging and ensure their campaigns represent diverse voices.
Said Kalindekafe: “Issue-based campaign messages increase your chances of victory because it enhances voter engagement, especially among those passionate about specific issues such as healthcare and food security.”
One of the aspirants, Tiyanjane Chisewile, who is contesting in Ngwangwa Ward in Balaka District, said the training has helped her to find ways of overcoming the challenges she has been facing.
On her part, Oxfam in Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said the 50-50 campaign for the 2025 General Election has been comprehensive as campaigners have worked with various stakeholders and there are over 500 women who have shown interest in contesting.
“We are making headway as the crop of aspirants we have now is much more experienced, authentic and articulate,” she said.
The training was conducted under the Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi project which Oxfam and Women’s Legal Resources Centre are implementing with support from the European Union.
It targeted over 100 women who are vying for ward councillor and parliamentary positions in various districts in the Southern Region.
Last year, government launched the National Strategy on Political Empowerment of Women to have at least 35 percent of women win parliamentary and local government seats in the September 16 2025 General Election and 50 percent in 2030.
