Zomba chiefs urged to support women in politics

Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Wolrec) says chiefs’ support of women in politics is vital in attracting more women to contest in the forthcoming 2019 Tripartite Elections.

Wolrec project officer in Zomba Margaret Chilongozi said this on Wednesday in the district during a Women Empowered for Leadership (WE4L) meeting organised with traditional leaders and area development committee (ADC) chairpersons.

The meeting was aimed at encouraging participants on the significance of voting for female candidates as councillors.

“Our objective is to ensure that chiefs and ADCs take a leading role in advocating and not campaigning for women to be voted into power as they [women] have the potential to develop their areas,” she said.

ADC chairperson for Traditional Authority (T/A) Malemia in the district, Rose Mchilima, called on the women intending to contest in 2019 to introduce themselves earlier to the electorate.

“They should also devise workable manifestos that will help people to make informed decisions at a good time if they are to be voted into power,” she said.

In his remarks, Senior Chief Mlumbe called on chiefs who demand money from aspiring candidates to desist from the practice, saying it is an offence under the law.

“Chiefs should engage small-scale businesses to earn a living than demanding money from political aspirants,” he said.

Wolrec is implementing the project in Nsanje, Blantyre and Zomba districts.