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NB women aspirants decry gender parity

Female candidates in Nkhata Bay have accused their male contenders of fuelling unfair competition by bribing  registered voters with handouts.

They stated that the handouts, outlawed by the Political Parties Act activated last December, puts women at a disadvantage ahead of the May 21 Tripartite Votes.

Talazo (L) with her UDF counterpart

Chintheche Ward contestant Precious Simwaba said: “We were told to desist from giving handouts, but our male counterparts keep defying the law. But most of us, women, are economically constrained. So, voters are insulting us for not giving them anything.”

Simwaba is one of the eight female candidates who made the allegations during a road show organised by the Church and Society and Voice of Livingstonia (VOL) of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia on Wednesday.

The campaign for increased number of women in politics is being funded by Norway through ActionAid.

Ashley Talazo of UTM Party, who is vying for Boma Ward councillorship, said most women have not received financial and material support for the 50:50 Campaign.

“We are failing to reach other areas due to lack of finances. Some shoreline areas are only accessed using boats. We can’t afford boats,” she said. VOL project officer Franklin Mumba said the road show was organised to bring the female candidates closer to voters

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