NGO Gender Coordination Network is geared to empower women who have shown interest to participate in the 2025 General elections.

According to NGO GCN’s Chairperson, Mrs. Maggie Kathewera Banda, the organisation will provide trainings for women aspirants who have shown interest to contest for political positions at district level.

The initiative is made possible through financial support from UN Women, a key Development Partner supporting NGO GCN’s Political Empowerment for women in Malawi project whose main aim is to support and promote women’s participation in the electoral process.

The empowerment involves capacity building for women candidates both before the elections and after they assume office. Key activities will include engaging with Traditional Leaders, Village Development Committees, Area Development Committees to solicit support in prevention of violence against women and promote women’s political participation and challenge social norms that prevent women to participate as leaders. Additionally, a National Media Campaign on Gender Equality in Elections will be launched to further amplify the cause.

She further explained that the aspirants will be sought through political parties, District Gender Officers, Traditional leaders and other reliable sources at community level.

Adding an icing on the cake, this year’s elections have seen an incredible surge in female voter registration, with women now making up about 57% of the total registered voters. This brings hope for increased support among women.

Chairperson Mrs. Maggie Kathewera Banda shared her excitement, saying, “Having more women registered as voters in the upcoming elections strengthens their collective influence, enabling them to support one another and significantly increase female representation in political leadership”.

The project is already underway, having kicked off in November 2024 and is expected to be completed in October 2025 in the districts of Phalombe, Balaka, Ntchisi, and Nkhatabay.