Plan Malawi advocates for greater female political participation

Malawi: Plan Malawi commemorated the girl child today, October 11th, as it does every year, with this year's main focus on political participation among girls/women.

Silence Banda, the programmes manager for Plan Malawi’s Mzuzu office, said a global study revealed that many women/girls are uninterested in political careers due to fear of being abused, saying that makes it difficult for them to continue.

Dr Chrispin Mphande, a Mzuzu University Lecturer, addressed the issue of encouraging women to enter politics.

Mphande told AfricaBrief that women should stop going to rallies just to dance and instead take positions that are important to them.

Stella Mwalwanda, a Malawi Institute of Journalism student, stated that they are also willing to participate, but the fear of being sexually abused prevents them from doing so. As a result, they are requesting that the government give women special consideration.

The commemoration this year began with a parade from Katoto Ground to St John of God, where the panel discussion was held.