A training session for female aspirants from Mulanje, Machinga, Nsanje, and Phalombe is underway in Blantyre. The two-day training seeks to equip the aspirants with essential skills for effective political participation.
This training is part of the Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth-Inclusive Democracy project, WOLREC and Oxfam are implementing across seven districts with funding from the European Union.
The project aims to enhance the inclusion of women, youth and marginalized groups to meaningfully participate in political and decision-making structures and processes. Approximately 100 women aspiring to contest as Members of Parliament and Ward Councillors in the September 16 General Elections are participating in the training.
Opening the training of female aspirants in Blantyre, WOLREC Executive Director Maggie Kathewera Banda stated that by March 2027, the project aims to have worked with 67,895 people; including 42,762 women aged 35 and above, 15,724 youth, and 4,403 persons with disabilities.
She emphasized that the training is designed to equip aspirants with essential skills in public speaking and issue-based campaigning among others.
“We are committed to supporting and empowering female candidates throughout the electoral process. By the end of this training, we want every woman who participated to feel confident and well-prepared to compete in the upcoming elections,” she said.
Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre Executive Director Emma Kaliya encouraged participants to make the most of the training.
“You should not lose hope despite the challenges you may face. Women like you have made significant strides in politics. I urge you to utilize this training,” Kaliya said.
Among facilitators at the two-day training include renowned women’s rights activist Viwemi Chavula, veteran politicians Patricia Kaliati, Lilian Patel, and Gladys Ganda, as well as seasoned broadcasters Zilani Khonje and Gerald Viola.
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