By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, March 2, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare in collaboration with National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) have launched a political leadership manual, a tool of empowerment for women political aspirants.

The manual has been described as a step towards ensuring that women have the knowledge and skills to participate in political leadership.

Speaking during the launch on Friday in Salima district, Chief Gender and Development Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Chimwemwe Grace Hussein, reaffirmed government’s commitment to gender equality in politics.

"The ministry has put in place gender and development officers in districts to work with women aspiring to be Members of Parliament and councillors," she said.

Hussein added that government has collaborated with different stakeholders in engaging Malawi police to look into the issues of violence during political campaign and other activities.

"The main challenges which the ministry is facing on the implementation of political empowerment of women in politics programme are issues of coordination and funding; we don’t have enough resources for our partners and women participating in politics," she said.

The ministry developed the political leadership manual in partnership with NICE under a project called Nthawi Yawo, which is aimed at increasing women participation in politics.

In his remarks, NICE Executive Director Grey Kalindekafe said as one way of increasing participation of women in politics, they are focusing on building the capacity of women aspirants.

"We want the women to be able to analyze their constituencies and understand the voters’ needs and come up with comprehensive campaign manifestos," he said.

Kalindekafe said the major challenge that hinders women participation in politics is financial constraints, adding that is the reason they are equipping the women with skills for resource mobilization.

Malawi Congress Party female candidate who recently won primary elections as aspiring Member of Parliament for Salima Central East Constituency, Sakina Salim Chingomanje, commended NICE for encouraging them to overcome challenges and political violence.

Nthawi Yawo project is funded by UNDP and aims to increase female political representation in the targeted districts of Salima, Karonga and Neno by providing training and resources for aspiring candidates.