An organisation for youth and women empowerment in Karonga, Kachila Youth Initiative (KAYI) has attributed lack of self-esteem and jealousy amongst women as some of the factors affecting women to contest in political positions.
The sentiments come as Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is set to conduct by-elections in the country on March 30 in constituencies that are vacant. Where Karonga North West constituency sees only male candidates in the race.
KAYI Project Officer Jane Mbowe, is quoted by Malawi News Agency (MANA) to say women underrate themselves and are not willing to vote their fellow women into power.
“Women lack self-esteem, they feel and think that they cannot manage to contest in a race with male candidates and win the race.
“Again, most women do not support each other to win political positions because they think that once their fellow woman wins then she will become far much better financially than them.” She said.
In a separate interview, one of the women belonging to Karonga North West Constituency Lucia Mwalughali agreed with Mbowe that indeed most women have low self-esteem towards contesting in political positions.
“Most of us lack confidence to join the political race because we think we cannot come out as winners where male candidates are also contesting.” Mwalughali said.
Karonga North West Constituency fell vacant in february after the death of its legislator late James Bond Kamwambi.
Meanwhile, the constituency has eight candidates competing for the position of law maker and all of them are males. Three of the eight candidates are on independent ticket.
Representing Aford is Fwaskan Silungwe, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is Daniel Mwanyongo Chitonya, United Transformation Movement (UTM) is Katwafu Felix Kaira, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is Lusubilo Kamwambi, United Democratic Front is Born Mwenendeka (UDF), and The three independent candidates are, Anderson Mwaipinga, Harry Mwanyembe and Dr. Shawo Mwakilama.
