WOLREC demands integrity from politicians in light of the Women’s Manifesto
The Women’s Legal Resource Center (WOLREC) is calling for accountability and integrity from authorities with the launch of the second edition of the Women’s Manifesto.
This initiative aims to push political parties to adopt the manifesto as a framework for addressing women’s rights violations in politics.
At the launch event on Tuesday, EU Ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach emphasized the importance of stakeholders studying the document to integrate women’s rights and concerns into party policies.
“This manifesto is coming out ahead of the political [party] manifestos, and we hope that the political parties will take a look at the [women’s] manifesto and see how they can integrate women’s rights in their policies, because without inclusion we cannot have democracy,” Skinnebach told the Nation newspaper
The manifesto has been developed by WOLREC and Oxfam Malawi with support from the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development programme with a purpose of serving as a basis for engagement with key stakeholders
The rights advocate also mentions that it will be useful specifically to presidential candidates, the judiciary, police, traditional leaders, and women’s groups.
WOLREC executive director Maggie Kathewera Banda emphasized the import of embracing the document
Kathewera Banda said: “We will engage duty bearers on the manifesto so that they understand the demands of women, which will also ensure effective implementation of the project”.
The British High Commissioner to Malawi, Fiona Ritchie, appealed to authorities to prudently use the document to deal with atrocities affecting women and girls’ participation in politics, especially as the September 16 polls are nigh.
“Most women and girls are victims of financial constraints and cultural norms, which are but a few key barriers faced by those aspiring for political positions in Malawi.
Creating more spaces for dialogue where women can come together, strategies and develop actionable plans is what we need,” Ritchie explained.
Nelson Mandela Foundation chairperson and former South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Grace Naledi Pandor, who served as guest of honour, encouraged women to actively use their voices and votes to push for greater inclusion in governance, emphasizing that the manifesto clearly reflects their demands.
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