By Alinafe Kamphika
National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has applauded Neno District for electing women leaders, saying the district remains a model on womens participation in politics as two female members of parliament, namely Mary Khembo Maulidi and Mutani Elliam Tambala emerged winners in the recent Parliamentary Elections in two of the three constituencies in the district.
The NICE Trust expressed its appreciation on Wednesday in Neno during a meeting that reviewed the Nthawi Yao project, which the Trust is implementing in the district.
Agness Sohaya, who lost in the Local Government Elections (LGE) in the district, commended NICE Trust for providing support to women contestants during the recent elections.
She said the district had an outstanding performance with two female Members of Parliament and one female Ward Councillor, Martha Chapendeka of Chikonde Ward.Sohaya attributed Nenos performance to NICE Trusts interventions, saying public awareness on women empowerment in politics, intensified voter civic education, mentorship, and political skills training were contributing factors.
“NICE really helped us during the elections. All I am asking is that the Nthawi Yao project should continue to prepare us for the 2030 elections so that we can do even better than this,” said Sohaya.
NICE Executive Director, Gray Kalindekafe, said the Nthawi Yao project was designed to strengthen womens leadership capacity as women constitute the majority of Malawis population, adding that there was a need for women to play a greater role in decision-making.
“We want to create an enabling environment through our Parliament to pass a Bill allowing women to contest among themselves at council and district levels. Women understand better struggles people face from the household to the national level,” he added.
The Executive Director added that increasing womens representation would help build a corruption-free nation, as women generally avoid corrupt practices, observing that women were born peace-makers.
Maulidi and Tambala of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won in Neno East and Neno South constituencies respectively, while male contestant, Thoko Tembo of the same DPP won in Neno North Constituency.
Neno District Councils Director of Planning and Development, Charles Lomoni, appealed to both winning and losing ward councilors to collaborate on development activities.“Lets put politics aside and work together to develop our district, avoiding discriminating against the losers. We are all one,” said Lomoni.
Chapendeka, currently Vice Council Chairperson, is the only female ward councillor in Neno Full Council. On record, she won with the most votes (5,277), compared to male councillors who won with fewer than 3,253 votes in their respective wards.
Other ward councilors that won the LGE in their respective wards are Montfort Bwanali (DPP) of Chilimbondo Ward, Joe Zgambo (Independent) Matope Ward, Charles Kamulila (DPP), Lisungwi Ward, Gwire Mzinga (DPP) of Chifunga Ward and Joseph Chiphaliwali (Independent) of Ligowe Ward, currently Neno District Council Chairperson
The Nthawi Yao project, funded by UNDP in partnership with the Civil Society Strengthening Programme, is being implemented in Neno, Salima, Karonga, and Mchinji districts.
