Africa-Press – Malawi. UN Women has challenged women that are taking part in the forthcoming general elections to collaborate with other stakeholders as a way of dealing with challenges that are hindering women’s participation in politics.
UN Women Programmes Specialist for Gender and Governance Victor Maulidi made the remarks in Mangochi District during a capacity building workshop for women change agents.
The agents are supporting women who are taking part in next month’s general elections.
Maulidi said through collaboration, women could overcome challenges such as lack of resources, ideas and stereotypes which exist in political cycles.
“Working together with various stakeholders, especially those at the community level, can help them consolidate their voices, which, in the end, can help them achieve their goals. They need to take a leading role in safeguarding their political right of participating in elections,” he said.
He said UN Women would continue building the capacity of women so that they could stand a chance of defending their electoral rights.
“Some of the women we are working with can be mediators, candidates, community party representatives and others that are very central in making sure that women are operating in a conducive environment,” he said.
In her remarks, Mangochi District Principal Gender Officer Mariana Kanjirawaya said some women who are participating in the elections are facing multiple challenges which are limiting their chances of winning.
For instance, Kanjirawaya said some women were being called names, saying such tendencies demoralise women in politics.
“We believe that these kinds of engagements will help enlighten the women to know when and where to report such issues,” she said.
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