By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, April 23, Mana: Chiefs in Dedza have asked Women's Legal Resources Center (WoLREC) and Oxfam to organize an interface meeting for the district’s key electoral stakeholders to address all concerns related to violence ahead of the September 16, 2025 General Election.

The two organizations are implementing the ‘Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi project’, which aims to encourage women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to run for parliamentary and local government positions.

However, electoral violence remains a significant obstacle with some female candidates lamenting abuse, including demeaning remarks from male opponents.

In an interview on Tuesday, following a meeting with chiefs and faith leaders on promoting violence-free elections the chief emphasized that bringing together all relevant stakeholders is key to addressing the issue.

“The meeting has identified party leaders, aspirants, chiefs, faith leaders, civil servants, and police among potential agents or conduits of electoral violence.

“By coming together we can better understand each other’s weaknesses and move beyond speculation. This will help us to develop a unified strategy that everyone can commit to. That way we can promote a peaceful election,” said T/A Kamenyagwaza.

He stressed the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that empowers women, youth, and PWDs to contest in elections, ensuring their groups have a voice in decision making processes.

Dedza District Pastors Fraternal Association of Malawi Treasurer Rev. Daniel Makumba Nkhoma of Nazarene Church said faith leaders who publicly display affiliation to political candidates or parties risk offending their followers who hold differing political views.

“For us faith leaders it is essential to maintain neutrality by keeping our political affiliations private, thereby avoiding unnecessary conflict. As a pastor’s fraternity, we advise each other to pray generally when asked to do so at political rallies, rather than specifically endorsing a candidate,” he said.

He commended WoLREC for establishing a platform to address violence noting that many people need to be educated on the dangers of violence.

Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi project is funded by the European Union.