Women MPs in Malawi increase representation

by Raphael Mweninguwe

A 50:50 campaign which was partly funded by the Norad through the Royal Norwegian Embassy to the tune of NOK20 million did not achieve its ambitious goals, but the campaign will continue.

Eunice Chamgomo of the  Gender Coordination Network said her organisation has achieved "some significant gains in sensitising people to vote for women parliamentary candidates".

"Out of the 239 women aspiring MPs, 42 of them made to Parliament," said Chamgomo.

In 2004 general elections 14% of the 193 MPs in Parliament were women. This year 21% of those elected are women. The 50:50 campaign targeted 50% of women to make it to the National Assembly.

Chamgomo, however, admited that with Malawi's cultural background, a majority of men "are not ready to put women into decision making position."

"Some village chiefs  openly refused to support women and were telling voters not to vote for women," said Chamgomo.

She explained that many aspiring women MPs had little financial resources to compete against men. Many of the women were primary school teachers with few campaign funds.

"Many people join politics with a view of getting rich and not to help the poor," said George Banda, one of the voters.

But Chamgomo said her organisation would ensure that MPs work for the good of the nation.

Undule Mwasungula, a human rights activist, who campagned for 50% women representation, said many women failed to make it to Parliament because of lack of money.

"The other reason is that many women did not get the support during the party primaries. Parties did not support women but men got all the support from political parties," he said.

Mwakasungula said the campain should continue even after the general elections.

Each aspiring candidate received MK91,000 from Gender Coordination Network which was given by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Other donors includes the UK's DfID.

With the local government elections due next year many women who lost in the Parliamentary seats have their minds now focused on next year elections.