By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, September 10, Mana: Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese on Monday urged leaders to ensure that women are empowered for them to actively participate in the electoral process ahead of the 2025 General Elections.

Speaking to traditional and religious leaders drawn from the area of Senior Chief Kameme in Chitipa, Gender Coordinator for CCJP of Karonga Diocese, Janet Mhango said leaders are key in inspiring women to actively participate in the electoral process.

"After this orientation we would like to see traditional and religious leaders championing this to ensure that young women become active players in politics.

“They should not only take part as voters but also as contestants for different political and decision-making positions,” Mhango said.

She added that the initiative also aims at driving female leadership at community level and mobilize communities to vote for female candidates during the fourth coming General Elections.

Senior Chief Kameme then urged female aspirants in his area to be bold and courageous in vying for political leadership positions, saying men and women are equally key in fostering good governance and national development.

He advised leaders to intensify efforts in sensitizing communities on the importance of turning up for voter registration so that they exercise their right to vote during next year's general elections.

“Some people are good at talking about the electoral process but do not participate when it comes to registering and voting. It is our role as leaders to civic educate people on the importance of participating in all electoral processes,” Kameme said.

Reverend Donja Mponela of Evangelical Lutheran Church said religious leaders also take a great role in promoting unity and peace in the country for free, fair and credible elections.

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi through the Justice and Peace Desk of Karonga Diocese is implementing an Election Project in the district with funding from the United Nations Development Programme to improve women's participation in politics either as voters or contesters.