By Linda Likomwa

Phalombe, April 17, Mana: NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has appealed to journalists to write positive stories about women aspirants as Malawi heads to September 16 tripartite election.

The NGO-GCN made the appeal on Wednesday when they engaged journalists in Phalombe on gender issues ahead of the general election.

One of the organization’s members, Olive Mpina, said the media has a role to play in promoting women aspirants through stories that should explain women’s capabilities in participating in meaningful politics.

“Media in Phalombe should also be covering women aspirants’ meetings to write stories about women’s capabilities in politics, in addition to their daily duties,” she said.

Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC) reporter based in Phalombe, Thumbiko Nyirongo, hailed the engagement, describing it as timely, considering that Malawi has few months remaining to hold the election.

He added that knowledge on gender issues will help journalists improve skills in writing stories that will promote women aspirants as they prepare to compete in parliamentary and local government elective positions in Phalombe.

The meeting observed that some women shun the media due to negative perception about the media, thereby missing opportunities for adequate coverage at the time of stiffer competition.

NGO-GCN implements a project to do with political empowerment of women in Malawi to enhance media’s fair, accurate, and gender sensitive reporting.

The project is being implemented in Phalombe, Balaka, Nkhatabay and Ntchisi districts, with support from UN Women through Malawi Electoral Support Project under the basket fund supported by the EU, FCDO, UK Government, Irish Embassy and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.