Malawi's Women Have the Numbers-Now Let's Get the Seats

Hello, and happy Women's Month!

 As Malawi moves toward the elections in September, I can't hide my excitement about the growing momentum for women's participation in politics. Across the country, there is increasing advocacy for women to take up leadership roles, and various campaigns are being launched to address the barriers that prevent them from running for office. 

One notable development is the police-led campaign promoting women's inclusion in politics, as well as different stakeholders stepping up to amplify women's voices. Another promising sign is that women have registered in larger numbers than men, making up 70% representing the eligible female population. 

According to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Malawi's 2025 voter registration has seen a significant shift in gender participation, with women outnumbering men. As of the latest data, 4,113,342 women have registered, while 3,087,563 men have signed up, bringing the total number of registrants to 7,200,905. 

When compared to the 2019 voter registration numbers, there has been a noticeable increase in female participation by 299,764 as 3,813,578 women were registered in 2019. However, MEC's Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, clarified that these numbers are provisional and will undergo a data-cleaning process, which may result in minor adjustments. 

WOLREC and OXFAM representatives at capacity buildingtraining for aspirants candidates:photo by WORLEC

This increase in female registration comes at a time when organizations such as OXFAM,WORLEC and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) are advocating for greater female participation in the electoral process through its project, 'Enhancing the Participation of Women in the 2025 General Elections,' funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

This is a clear indication that change is happening, and I commend all those working tirelessly to push this agenda forward. Beyond just voting, women must lead. However, while celebrating these milestones, we must also confront the reality that women's representation in Parliament remains low—currently standing at just 21%. The Ministry of Gender has set an ambitious goal to increase this to 40%, ensuring a 60:40 representation ratio between men and women.

But the real question is: Are women aware that efforts are being made to empower them to contest? Do they know that campaigns are in place to prevent harassment and promote fair treatment for women in politics? Too often, women hear these campaigns and assume they are meant for someone else, not them. But to achieve the 40% target, we cannot just support the movement from the sidelines—we must step up and be part of the change ourselves. If you are a woman reading this, I urge you to consider running for office. The space is open, and your voice is needed in decision making circles.

Young Women Must Be Part of the Political

Young women, in particular, have an opportunity to be part of this political revolution. We currently have very few women in politics, yet their presence is crucial to ensuring that youth perspectives are well represented. In 2019, Hon Fyness Mangonjwa made history by running for office at just 22 years old.

Hon Fyness Mangonjwa-Youngest legislator in Malawi's parliament.

Today, she continues to grow as a leader, proving that young women belong in politics just as much as their older counterparts. The benefits of having more women in politics are undeniable. When women are part of decision making, policies become more inclusive, addressing issues that directly affect women and children, such as maternal health, education, and economic empowerment.

Imagine a Parliament where more women actively shape national policies, ensuring that gender sensitive legislation is enacted and implemented. Imagine a future where young girls grow up seeing strong female leaders and know that they too can aspire to the highest positions in the land.

Women politicians convene to empower aspiring female leaders. Photo by Worlec

The time for action Is now and the time for imagining is over—the . Let's encourage, support, and uplift women to take on leadership roles. If you've ever thought about running for office, this is your moment. Let's work together to build a Parliament that truly represents the voices of all Malawians.