Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has put a quota on men administering women’s football to just 20 percent at committee, regional and national level.
Furthermore, men will only be allowed to contest for executive member positions.
This is contained in a letter dated 27th January 2020 addressed to National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) Chairperson, Suzgo Ngwira.
Fam has issued the statement after NWFA postponed regional elections following the dominance of men. So NWFA sought Fam’s help on the matter.
“I write to put it to on record that following the executive committee meeting on 15th January 2020, Fam noted that there is a steady growth in women football in the country. Following the gains in capacity building for the women’s game, Fam is hereby guiding that Women Football Committees at national level and regional level shall constitute 20 percent males who shall be nominated for elections of the executive committee membership positions only. In case of any clarification required, the concerned must be advised to contact Fam on the matter.
“This guidance binds all women football committees involved in association football that Fam governs in Malawi,” read the letter which has been signed by Fam General Secretary, Alfred Gunda.
In reaction, Ngwira said it was a welcome development.
“They are more capable women in the country to continue taking women’s football to greater heights. Justice has been served to the women and that’s the only affiliate which is dominated by women as it mostly deals with girl child issues. All thanks should go to the mother body Fam for making a statement on the quota of men but also on the association continued efforts in empowering and capacitating women to be in the forefront of running women’s football at all levels,” she said.
However, Central Region Football Association (CRFA) vice chairperson, Simeon Lijenje, speaking in his personal capacity, questioned the decision.
“What do the statutes say on member representation otherwise I find this retrogressive, discriminatory and protective which shouldn’t be the case in this era. Remember globally we are advocating for equal participation of women and men at all levels. Achieving it is something else possibly coming up with deliberate policies to shield them we can have 50% only women competing and the other 50% for both that’s my opinion,” he said.
Lijenje said the 20% male representation was supposed to be in line with Fam statutes.
