National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has urged political party leaders in Karonga District to support aspiring women candidates in readiness for the general elections slated for 16 September 2025.
NICE Trust District Programs Officer (DPO) for Karonga, Nathan Sakala said this on Friday during a multiparty liaison committee (MPLC) meeting held at NICE Trust offices in the district.
Sakala urged the MPLC members to utilize their positions in garnering support for aspiring women candidates from the political parties’ primaries up to the general elections.
“We want to see more women taking an interest in leadership positions and decision-making roles and we are working with party governors to break down the mental barriers that prevent women from taking on leadership roles,” said Sakala.
He said it is against this background that his organization, with financial support from the UNDP, is implementing a women empowerment project dubbed Nthawi Yawo Project that aims to encourage and support women to vie for political leadership positions.
“Mindset change is crucial in empowering women to vie for decision making positions but some of the things that hold women down are to do with self-belief.
“We are not just focusing on numbers; we are focusing on creating a mindset shift that will lead to sustainable change. Women need to believe in themselves that they can equally compete for leadership roles just like their male counterparts,” he added.
In her remarks, District Chairperson for the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) Edda Mkwala said the meeting was an eye opener on how best they could enhance women’s participation in leadership and decision-making positions.
“This meeting has come at an opportune time especially now that we are gearing towards the primaries and general elections. As women in political leadership, we really have a role to play in empowering and supporting our fellow women aspiring candidates,” she said.
