By Brenda Kayo:
UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe and his Alliance for Democracy (Aford) counterpart Enoch Chihana have pledged to prioritise the empowerment of women in Malawi if elected on September 16, 2025.
Thursday, Kabambe and Chihana separately received a copy of the second edition of the Women Manifesto from the Women Manifesto Movement in Lilongwe.
The manifesto outlines key issues affecting women in Malawi and proposes solutions to address them.
“We are committed to supporting women and doing more to uplift their lives. The Women Manifesto aligns with our mission as UTM,” Kabambe said.
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He also urged women to take an active role in claiming their rights, stating that no woman can prosper in life without a lion’s heart.
Kabambe added that his party had already demonstrated its commitment to women’s empowerment by electing two women as vice presidents.
Chihana, for his part, stressed the need for a shift in mindset regarding how men and women view each other.
He said Malawi’s poverty is largely due to the marginalisation of women and young people in economic development, politics and policy-making.
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Chihana, whose party has partnered with the Democratic Progressive Party ahead of the elections, said women and youth, who form the majority of the population, are not being effectively included in the country’s development efforts.
“We need to change how we think about one another, particularly when it comes to gender and youth empowerment.
“By involving women and youth in decision-making and providing the necessary resources, we can unlock Malawi’s true potential and build a more prosperous future for everyone,” he said.
Chairperson of the NGO-Gender Coordination Network, Maggie Kathewera Banda, said the movement would monitor the commitments made by all presidential candidates.
So far, four parties— Malawi Congress Party, People’s Party, UTM and Aford—have pledged their support for the Women Manifesto.
The second edition of the Women Manifesto highlights key areas including education, agriculture, health, economic empowerment and leadership.
The Women Manifesto Movement is funded by the European Union and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
