Malawi leader for law on women empowerment

President Peter Mutharika says Malawi needs to review some of the country’s laws  to ensure that more women become members of Parliament (MPs) and secure other key decision-making positions in national development.

Mutharika made the remarks at a news conference at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

The President said he was concerned that the number of women who made it to Parliament dwindled during the May 20 Tripartite Elections last year.

“We have gone down for example in parliamentary representation, if you remember during the campaign I was saying that I wanted 50 percent of women in parliament but for some reason we went down to where we are now which is 32 percent, but we need to work hard,” said the President.

He said in Uganda and Rwanda, women are assured of parliamentary seats and other top posts because of constitutional structures that make certain openings for women-only contests.

“We need to look at various ways as we review the constitution which am sure will be looking at it shortly,” said Mutharika.