Sadc PF for electoral system change

The Women Caucus of the Sadc Parliamentary Forum (PF) is lobbying Malawi to change its electoral system and laws to put women into decision-making positions, particularly in Parliament.

Visiting Sadc-PF Women Caucus on Wednesday met Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda and the local Women Caucus.

Leader of delegation, Anna Abdallah, said it is high time Malawi reviewed its electoral laws.

 “The first-past-the post electoral system has proved to be very unkind, unfriendly to women not only in Malawi but many Sadc countries with the same system. Therefore, Malawi should re-look its laws as well as its electoral system which can encourage women to participate in politics. This can be supported with policies and strategies that promote putting both women and men on equal footing,” she said

Chimunthu Banda, who shared the Sadc-PF’s concerns, said the Executive arm of government as well as the Legislature are two institutions mandated to change the situation.