By Lily Kampani
The United Nations has praised President Arthur Peter Mutharika for promoting gender equality through the appointment of Justice Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah as Malawi’s new Vice President, a move widely seen as a milestone for women’s political representation in the country.
In a congratulatory letter dated October 4, 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres applauded the decision, describing it as a significant step “towards achieving gender parity at all levels” and encouraging continued efforts to promote women’s participation in governance.
He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to working with Malawi on peace, human rights, climate action, and sustainable development.
Other regional organisations, such as the African Union Commission (AUC) and its observers, also publicly congratulated Malawi’s president on the election outcome, noting the AU’s engagement around the electoral process.
AUC observers further stated that the appointment of a woman to the vice-presidency reinforces regional calls for inclusive leadership across Africa.
OXFAM and its partners, in a statement released on Monday, also welcomed the appointment saying, “it is a powerful affirmation that when women are entrusted with leadership, our democracy deepens and the path towards gender equality is strengthened for future generations.”
Local women’s rights networks such as the NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) echoed the sentiment, describing Dr. Ansah’s appointment as “a powerful message to women across the country that leadership is within their reach.”
Dr Ansah is a former Supreme Court judge and past chair of the Malawi Electoral Commission. She also served as Malawi’s first female Attorney General and then as a judge on the Supreme Court of Appeal.
