Government has taken the campaign for women empowerment a step further, disclosing that it is reviewing the National Strategy on Political Empowerment of Women.
The strategy was developed in 2019, when the country held Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.
Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Deputy Director of Administration, Ester Ng’ong’ola, disclosed this in Salima District during a training session on violence against women in elections.
“The National Strategy on Political Empowerment of Women [of] 2019 is undergoing review. It will focus on the electoral process, political parties, the wider public and women themselves,” Ng’ong’ola said.
She added that the ministry has a special programme that advances the cause of women empowerment.
Ng’ong’ola said the goal of democracy can only be fully realised when both men and women are equally represented in politics and decision-making positions.
Weighing in on the issue, UN Women Country Representative Kebedech Ambaye said there is a need to address the problem of violence, which observers say discourages women from pursuing a career in politics.
“We will, therefore, be supporting initiatives that enhance women’s political participation by engendering civic and voter education. The other initiatives we will be supporting are advocacy and awareness-raising through the soon-to-be-established Gender Observatory and Engagements structure,” Ambaye said.
Malawians are expected to go to polls on September 16 next year, when they will cast ballots for ward councillors, lawmakers and President.
