Few women in leadership positions in Kasungu

Governance Gender and Justice Development Centre (GGJDC) Women Empowerment for Leadership (WE4L) project officer Grace Makuti has said women in Kasungu are lagging behind in leadership positions in local government structures.

The women rights advocacy organisation has since said much effort is needed to empower the women to be in the structures.

Said Makuti: “For the past years, there have been efforts to put women in political positions, but only a few made it through the May 21 Tripartite Elections.

“So, there is need to shift the effort to put more women in leadership positions in local government structures such as area and village development committees.”

Meanwhile, GGJDC has established community-based women forums in the district’s traditional authorities to advance women and girls’ rights advocacy and also promote women participation in various structures in their communities.

However, Makuti said there is hope more women will be included in local structures owing to previous engagement with traditional leaders.

Kasungu district gender officer John Washali said with efforts from several organisations, there is hope that more women will be empowered to be in leadership positions in local structures.

“Prior to the May 21 Tripartite Elections several organisations supported women to be in leadership positions. I hope we will reach a good number,” he said.

Women Forum chairperson Eneless Phiri said women are becoming more understanding on the importance of being in leadership positions.

“Some women underrate themselves as they feel they cannot lead. We encourage them that they have what it takes to lead in most structures in communities,” she said.

GGJDC, with support from Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Hivos, is implementing WE4L project in the district.