Malawi Women of Distinction Awards makes comeback

The top flight-across the strata women recognition awarding gala named ‘The Women of Distinction Awards’ (WODA), has made its return for the second bi-annual Awards ceremony this year.

WODA Chairperson Zilanie Gondwe Nyundo said at a news conference at Crossroads Hotel that they have added three categories to the initial 15 to widen the scope and reach out to more women of substance who are making strides in the society.

This year the event takes place on 3rd May 2014 at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

The first WODA were held on 10th March 2012 where both influential, popular and less known women whose contribution to the society were recognised.

Mama Kadzamira (centre-in glasses) won the Life time achiever award in 2012
Mama Kadzamira (centre-in glasses) won the Life time achiever award in 2012

This year WODA will have space for 17 nominees where one woman will win a second time and be honoured as the overall National Woman of Distinction.

To the original 15 categories, WODA has added 3 new sectors to make a total of 18.

The awards will also stretch to the diaspora where outstanding and most success stories of those far from home will be recognised.

The new categories are Leadership which include women in Parliament; Diaspora Achiever thus recognising women making impact in Malawi and their country of residence; My Mother, Heroine which recognises selfless, extraordinary impact in home and community.

“All Awardees receive a cash prize, hamper and WODA statuette and the ensuing national acclaim and publicity,” says the statement.

But for these women to be decorated, the public will play a huge part in nominating the would-be awardees and vote for them.

The key dates are that nomination opened on March 17th, 2014 and will close on April 10th, 2014.

Voting will open on 16th April, 2014 and close on 25th, April 2014.

“The public process of proposing candidates for the Awards Selection Committee’s consideration. The Jury will finalize a shortlist of 3 candidates who will be announced on April 15th. Voting will be by text message only this will be the method for the public to determine the popularity of the Jury’s shortlisted finalists for categories like Sports, The Arts, Leadership, National Woman, and Lifetime Achiever,” the statement says.

Other categories’ Awardees will be determined by the selection Jury.

The Awards have a two-fold charity agenda. Winners will give half of their cash award to a charity of their choice while WODA will be donating to Bwaila Hospital Maternity Department and to FAWEMA supporting girl’s education via the reusable sanitary pads project.

WODA has partnered with local and international media outfits to spur its success such as the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Times Television and Luso Television, Blantyre Newspapers Ltd, Transworld, Zodiak Broadcasting Services, Capital FM, Galaxy FM and the Malawi Post and Telecommunications.

Vice Chairperson for the awards, Bridget Mangulama Goneso said the public nominations  are open to the public through post office for free  WODA Box X300, Post Dot Net, e-mail [email protected]  and on social media and text messages on 51400. or send mail to P.O Box X300 Post Net.

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