Malawi Women Leaders Unite Against Violence Ahead of 2025 Election
Their demands include enhanced protection measures and clear consequences for perpetrators of political violence against women.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Leading women's rights organisations and female political leaders launched a coalition Tuesday to combat violence against women ahead of Malawi's September 2025 general election, writes Meclina Chirwa.
The alliance, formed during a press conference at Lilongwe's Golden Peacock Hotel, brings together Oxfam Malawi, the Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC), and women's directorates from seven major political parties.
"We wish to condemn these acts in the strongest terms possible and call upon authorities, political parties, and all Malawians to take action in securing the protection, rights, and dignity of women as active participants in their democracy," said Maggie Kathewera Banda, chairperson of the NGO Gender Coordinating Network.
The coalition detailed various forms of political violence targeting women, including intimidation, aggression, harassment, physical injury, and verbal abuse.
The initiative unites women from across the political spectrum, including representatives from the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party, UTM Party, People's Party, United Democratic Front, Alliance for Democracy, and People's Development Party.
The group aims to establish safeguards for women's political participation before the September 16, 2025, general elections.
Their demands include enhanced protection measures and clear consequences for perpetrators of political violence against women.
This unified stance represents an unprecedented collaboration among Malawi's women political leaders, transcending party lines to address shared concerns about electoral violence and discrimination.