The National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice Trust) in Chiradzulu has called on political parties to create space for women to compete in various positions as only three women have shown interest to contest in the forthcoming tripartite elections.

This comes amid efforts by government and various stakeholders, who are fighting for 50:50 women representation in political positions.

Barely few days after MEC announced an upward revision of nomination fees for 2019 tripartite elections, Women Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) has asked political parties in the country to mobilize resources that will help them pay nomination fees for their women candidates.

WOLREC Project Officer, Evance Phiri made the request on Wednesday in Neno during an interface meeting between chiefs, religious leaders, media and political parties for increased support for female aspirants.

UN Women Malawi has engaged community radios in the country in a campaign to promote female aspirants through radio messages and radio talk shows.

Youth and Society Organization (YAS) and Pan-African Civic Educators Network (PACENET) have reiterated the need for people in the country to change their perceptions and cultural beliefs that regard female politicians as underachievers.

The organisations said this is stifling efforts to ensure equal representation of men and women in the country, broadly known as the 50:50 campaign.

The United Nations (UN) has introduced a Women Empowerment Project (WEP) in Salima to empower female aspirants ahead of the 2019 tripartite elections.

The project is also expected to be implemented in five other districts in the country.

Lilongwe — Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Kikkan Haugen has challenged political parties in the country to provide conducive environment for women participation in decision making positions.

He was speaking Monday during a 50-50 Campaign Media Interaction at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.

BLANTYRE, MALAWI — In Malawi, the push for more women members of parliament was dealt a blow when the government said it would not consider a proposal to create 28 automatic seats for women. Malawi ranks among the countries within the South African Development Community and world where women are underrepresented in government.