President Chakwera endorses Women’s Manifesto

President Lazarus Chakwera has described women as critical stakeholders in Malawi’s development agenda.

Speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, where the Women’s Manifesto Movement presented the Women’s Manifesto booklet, the President emphasized that the Malawi 2063 vision cannot be achieved if women are left behind.

“I have taken keen interest in the requests you have made. While the MCP Manifesto already addresses many of them, I want to assure you that this administration will continue to engage and consult you to ensure that the remaining issues are tackled,” said President Chakwera.

Addressing the issue of violence against women during elections, the President called on the Malawi Police Service to ensure peaceful campaigns throughout the election period.

During the event, President Chakwera signed a Commitment Card, symbolizing his administration’s commitment to promoting women’s rights and integrating gender concerns into national development plans.

“I am signing this because I believe in your agenda and in the Women’s Manifesto,” he added.

The President also urged women to support and believe in one another.

Leading the delegation, WOLREC Executive Director Maggie Kathewera Banda said the Movement had requested the President to ensure adequate funding for the Political Empowerment of Women Strategy.

She also commended the President and the MCP administration for the progress made in advancing women’s empowerment.

“We also urged him to consider establishing a Women Empowerment Fund and to ensure that disability issues are mainstreamed,” she said.

Commenting on the recently launched MCP Manifesto, Kathewera Banda said the Movement welcomed it with enthusiasm, noting that the conversations initiated in 2019 are bearing fruit.

“The manifesto includes specific commitments to gender equality, including quotas and a 50:50 representation target for women. If fully implemented, it will significantly improve the status of women in the country,” she said.

The Women’s Manifesto Movement is led by WOLREC, Oxfam in Malawi, NGO Gender Coordination Network - Malawi, and the Centre for Civil Society Strengthening (CCSS), through the Pamodzi Kuthetsa Nkhanza Program, Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy project, and the Liu La Amayi Mu Ndale project with funding from What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls, European Union in Malawi and Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe