By Salome Gangire

Neno, February 13, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) District Civic Education Officer for Neno, Wallace Kudzala, has called on political leaders in Neno District to ensure that more women are joining political parties and contest in the 2025 elections.

Kudzala was speaking Monday at NICE offices during a meeting with political leaders of various political parties on inclusive participation of women in Malawi politics project which the organization is implementing in the district with funding from United Nations Development Programme.

Currently, Neno has no female representation in its two parliamentary seats and has no councilor in its four wards.

Kudzala said the meeting was organized to sensitize political leaders on inclusive participation of women in politics and leadership positions so that they move together and woo women to participate in political leadership.

“District political governors play a vital role of encouraging their members to participate in politics vying for position of councilors and Members of Parliament,” he said.

He said a baseline survey that NICE conducted, showed that a lot of women lack skills in terms of public speaking and drawing campaign plans, so, noting the gaps, NICE will train them in public speaking and how to conduct campaigns.

The Civic Education Officer said there are so many advantages when women assume leadership positions, as they are transparent, accommodative, development conscious and if voted into power, can bring change to the district.

He therefore encouraged community members to vote for women in political positions.

District Social Welfare Officer Paul Sosono said his office is working with NICE as its gender department role is to enhance participation of women in decision making, political environment and economic empowerment.

He said women have been marginalized for long time and when put into leadership positions, more people benefits.

Leadership with Compassion Party (LPC) District Campaign Director Leonard Mphidza thanked NICE for the initiative, saying it is worrisome that there are no women representing any political party in the district.

He said with this initiative, there will be an improvement in the forthcoming elections and hope the district will produce female legislators and ward councilors.

He added that with the trainings NICE will conduct, a lot of women will gain confidence to face and compete against their male counterparts.