CSOs wants more female presidential aspirants next year

The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) is making a passionate plea to the public to support politically strong women to step up for the presidential candidacy in next year’s election.

HRCC chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba believes a female candidate may bring variety on governance.

“We already have some strong women who need serious support and attention from the public. They just need to rise and present different narratives of political understanding because they stand a better chance to take the mantle.

“The more we can identify new players on the market, the more people will support them. We had Joyce Banda who did her part and I think it is high time we tried more women,” Mkwezalamba narrated.

A women rights watchdog, NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has challenged women to show interest in contesting for the presidential seat in next year’s general elections.

The NGO GCN executive director Maggie Kathewera Banda highlights that such an interest from women is an exercise of their human rights.

Unfortunately, since Joyce Banda, Malawi has not produced another female president, despite various interventions including the 50-50 campaign.

She said: “Yes, we are looking forward to a number of women that are going to participate even at the presidential level. They should not just compete at parliamentary level or ward councillor level but even at the presidential level. They have a right to do that.”

After Joyce Banda, Malawi has not produced another female President, despite various interventions including the 50-50 campaign.

Banda, with her People’s Party (PP) however, lost the 2014 Presidential election to Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after being in power for two years.