Statistics have shown that the number of female contestants in by-elections has remained low since the 2019 Tripartite Elections despite gender advocates pushing for increased women’s participation in politics.

The statistics show that post- 2019, only 16 female contestants have taken part in eight by-elections that have been held since then. In total, there have been 101 contestants in the eight by-elections. The women’s participation represents 15.8 percent.

A woman casts her ballot during
previous elections

In an interview on Sunday, University of Birmingham professor of democracy Nic Cheeseman attributed the low female representation to a wide range of deep barriers, including voters expectations.

He said: “Some of the challenges that discourage women include resistance within their own parties, the threat of being rigged out in party primaries, the challenge of raising campaign funds and the expectations of voters, some of whom believe that a man will be able to secure more resources from the government.

“This is rarely backed up by actual evidence, but the fact that it is widely believed makes it hard but not impossible for women to secure the support of parties and voters.”

Cheeseman said Malawi lags behind most countries in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region in that regard and has failed to meet principles it put in place to ensure female representation.

He said given the size and number of barriers, the only feasible way is to introduce a legislative quota that will ensure female representation is boosted.

“Quotas are not perfect like any political system, but they have increased the number of women in Parliaments in the Sadc region and beyond,” Cheeseman said.

In a separate interview, political analyst Ernest Thindwa also said introducing quotas in favour of women for parliamentary elections could have huge potential to increase their participation.

He said: “The electoral system does not provide incentives to political parties to field women but the most promising candidate regardless of gender.

“As such, no amount of financial support or otherwise to women competing in elections will significantly shift the balance of representation in favour of women as long as the electoral system remains candidate-centered.”

But Thindwa said it is, however, important to start asking whether the move to increase the number of women in elective bodies is necessary at this point.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati told The Nation of August 25 2022 that women must start preparing for the 2025 general elections so that there is more female representation.

As part of encouraging female participation, Malawi Electoral Commission has in recent times been giving a 50 percent discount to female candidates, a move gender advocates have applauded.

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