By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, February 15, Mana: Political parties in Dedza say they are promoting women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) aspiring for parliamentary and local-government seats in the September 16, 2025 General Election.

This follows their involvement in Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy project implemented by Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam.

On Monday, Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Dedza District Secretary, Philimon Ngozo, told MANA that the party has three women contesting in the primary elections for Dedza Boma Constituency scheduled on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

“They will battle it out against three men. For Dedza Linthipe Constituency we have a female aspirant councilor, the youth and a person with disability. We took an initiative as a party to encourage them to contest,” he said.

Dedza Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) District Governor, Colonerio Mphonda said the party is still mobilizing women, youth and PWDs to represent it in the parliamentary and local-government elections.

“So far, we have a female aspirant for Dedza Mayani, Dedza Thete and Dedza Mulunduni constituencies respectively. We also have a male albino aspiring for Mphunzi Constituency,” he said.

United Democratic Front (UDF) aspirant for Dedza Mphunzi Constituency, Janet Gwaza, who is also the women secretary general for the party hailed WORLEC and Oxfarm for the project.

“They have uplifted women, youth and people with disabilities in the district. They should continue mentoring us and engage political parties and all stakeholders to promote us,” she said.

Group Village Head Kapalamula said traditional leaders are eager to collaborate with any development conscious politician regardless of their gender or socioeconomic status.

Dedza District Council Director of Administration Chris Salaniponi urged political parties to work together and develop a strategy on provision of security to PWDs and women for them to contest without fear.

The project is in seven districts including Dedza which as of today has two female councilors and no female parliamentarian.

The project runs from 1st November 2023 to 31st March 2027 with a goal of enhancing inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups to meaningfully participate in political and decision-making structures and processes.