The Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam in Malawi hosted a high-level dinner in Lilongwe on Tuesday, bringing together key political leaders from the country’s six major parties.
In attendance were political party Secretary Generals, Directors of Youth, Directors of Women, Campaign Directors, Organizing Secretaries, and Publicity Secretaries.
The event was part of the Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy project, funded by the European Union, and engaged representatives from the United Democratic Front (UDF), People’s Party (PP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), UTM Party, Alliance for Democracy (Aford), and Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
This engagement followed a recent meeting with Directors of Women, where the need for dialogue with party leaders was a key recommendation.
During the discussions at the dinner, political party representatives strongly condemned political violence and pledged to foster a safer environment for women in politics.
WOLREC Executive Director Maggie Kathewera Banda applauded the political parties for their commitment to the project's goals.
"Our goal is to see more women, youth, and persons with disabilities assume political leadership come September 2025," said Kathewera Banda.
Oh her part, Oxfam Country Director Lingalireni Mihowa emphasized the critical role of political parties in combating political violence, particularly against women.
“We are working with these six major parties because achieving gender parity in politics requires their full involvement. Political parties are central to shaping leadership,” she stated.
Civil Society Organizations, including the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE), Centre for Civil Society Strengthening (CCSS), and the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, were also present at the event.
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