2nd Deputy Speaker hails Oxfam support

Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Aisha Mambo Adams has commended Oxfam in Malawi for supporting female parliamentarians since they were elected to the august House, saying the organisation’s support has improved their visibility.

Speaking on Sunday when Oxfam officials visited her Mangochi Nkungulu Constituency to present bicycles and wrappers (zitenje) to girls and chiefs, Mambo praised Oxfam for living up to its promise made during the May 2019 Tripartite Elections campaign to continue helping women even after elections.

The items were meant to empower the subjects while maintaining the female legislators’ momentum ahead of the next tripartite elections.

Mambo, who won the seat on United Democratic Front (UDF) ticket, said the support is strengthening her relationship with her constituents.

She said: “We are happy with the organisation because some of the promises we made in our manifestos, for example, uplifting girls’ education and providing potable water, are being provided by Oxfam. This is a relief.”

Mambo said the bicycles will help ease mobility challenges girls from far-flung areas were experiencing, which will help more girls stay in school.

In her remarks, Oxfam in Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said they are helping the women following the adoption of an electoral cycle approach her organisation made.

She said they have a budget of about K80 million to support all the 45 female legislators in their constituencies because they want to see them retain their seats in the next elections.

“This is the first cycle where we are distributing five bicycles and 60 wrappers to constituents. The next cycle has a budget line of K100 million and we intend to extend to borehole drilling,” said Mihowa.