Malawi, the nation of 21 million people, will hold elections on 16 September. Many presidential candidates have nominated women as their walk.
Civil organizations in Malawi have pushed a bee for female representation under political leadership, including the so-called 50-50 campaigns that advocate 50% women representation in Parliament to bring it more in line with the country’s demographics.
Women dominate the 2025 electoral rolls, according to 57.1% registered voters, Shape Malawi from Election Commission.
Is Malawi entering a new era of gender inclusion?
Many Malavians are asking whether the decision by many parties for the field female running mates marks a geninine shift towards a new era of gender inclusion in Malawi’s politics.
Lecturer, expertly led by political leadership at Malawi’s Catholic University, Seenla Kalebe told DW’s Africank that in question, the partners are running instead of the presidential candidates – putting them in a subordinate position.
He said that, with the exception of the Democratic Progressive Party, the political parties with women as the ongoing partner are small, whose only chance of listening in the election “will be based on the election through election through elections,” will be based on the legislative political strength received during the election. ,
This thing is “the election running mates once again, to come to power, the elections are over and the post -election elections are leg figure.”
Meanwhile, Joyce Banda is the only female President Candeate to run in the 2025 election.
74 -year -old teacher and women’s rights activists, who are running for the People’s Party, became the first woman to become President in Malawi in 2012, moving from the Vice President after the death of Big or Muthrika.
Banda left the country in 2014, lost the presidential election and questioned a corruption scam. She returned to Malawi after four years in exile.
How did Malavian respond to the current political change?
As August 2025 Studies Published by Afrobarometer, lack of food “The most important problems Malavian want to deal with the government,” made a list with the cost of life, farming, health, economic concerns and corruption.
Kalebe told DW that he did not think the voters would be persuaded by gender tickets alone, unless the parties combine gender tickets with other pressure issues. ,
In Malawi’s capital, Lilongve, DW correspondent Mirrium Kaliza spoke to some Malavian, who introduced reactions to new development in Malavian politics, which has long dominated men.
Kaliza said that many Malavians were excited – distinguished women, young people, and the rights of those women are champions. However, there was so much doubt, especially between traditionalist and political loyalists, who questioned the political weight of women chosen as the ongoing partner, many of which are unknown unknown and lack effects.
Kaliza said that many Malavian believe that some women were chosen as partners running as part of a box ticket practice, rather than the real desire to put women at the forefront of politics.
How does Malawi compare with other African countries?
In the forefront 2024 African insight: Democracy at riskRwanda leads to 61% female representation in Parliament, followed by Namibia 50%, Senegal 46% and Malawi at around 20%. However, Malawi has made some significant progress at the local level.
Juliana Kadua became the first woman mayor of Lilongve City in 2019, serving till 2021. In 2024, Esther Sagwa was chosen as the second female mayor of the city.
Catherine Gateani Hara became the first female speaker of Malawi of National Assembly in 2019. She continues to work in that role and is recognized for her leadership and advocacy for gender inclusion.
This article is adapted to an episode of Africalink Podcast. You can hear and follow them Wherever you get your podcast,
