DPP claims JB’s leadership uninspiring to Malawi women
Malawi’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has alleged that President Joyce Banda’s ideas and her style of leadership are no longer inspiring especially to women.
DPP’s Director of Women Affairs, Patricia Kaliati, claimed in an interview President Banda and her ruling People’s Party (PP) have disappointed Malawians for failing to create an enabling environment particularly for aspiring female parliamentary candidates.
“She is no longer a role model to Malawians. Most women have lost trust in her. She has failed to inspire women in her own party and what good can you expect from such a woman?” queried Kaliati.
She claimed that President Banda is one woman who is “busy castigating” fellow women, mainly DPP’s Secretary General, Jean Kalirani.
According to statistics, during the May 20 for the Tripartite Elections, is leading the pack on the number of female aspiring members of Parliament (MPs) with 44 set to battle it out for the race to the 193-seat National Assembly in Lilongwe, according to the official list published by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
The list shows that the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has 41 female aspiring MPs followed by the United DemocraticFront (UDF) with 37 and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has 31.
The MEC list also shows that no political party has fielded candidates in all the 193 constituencies.
PP is fielding candidates in 192 constituencies, the only exception being Mulanje South West Constituency where the incumbent is George Chaponda of DPP.
DPP will not field candidate in Rumphi West Constituency of Jatula Mkandawire following delays to submit nomination papers by the party’s aspirant and there are no DPP candidates in Mangochi Nkungulu currently held by Mahamudu Lali of UDF.
UDF is fielding 182 candidates whereas MCP 159.
Kaliati attributed her party’s highest number of female contestants for the Parliamentary and Local Government Elections to the “sound and visionary leadership” of their torch bearer, Prof Peter Mutharika, whom she said had leveled the playing field for all aspiring female candidates during the party’s primary elections.
“This demonstrates that, as a party, we are committed to achieving the 50-50 campaign and to have the highest women representation in the National Assembly,” Kaliati told Nyasa Times.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :