The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust says its "Nthawi Yawo" project in Neno District has achieved a 67 percent mark in women’s representation in Parliament and local wards ahead of the 2025 General Election.

NICE Trust Executive Director Gray Kalindekafe told Zodiak Online in Neno, during a project review meeting, that the district has registered notable progress in women’s political participation, with two female Phungu and one female councilor elected across its three constituencies.

The project, which is also being implemented in Salima and Karonga, has been hailed as a success as different stakeholders joined efforts to promote the election of more women to Parliament and council positions.

Kalindekafe noted, however, that women still faced challenges, including limited campaign resources and cultural resistance. He said they lacked campaign materials such as money to reach all areas, and society showed resistance to accepting women as leaders.

He called for a quota system for women’s representation, where some constituencies and wards would be reserved for female candidates only, adding that NICE would lobby Parliament to consider the proposal. He said other countries had adopted similar systems and achieved improved leadership, development, transparency and accountability, noting that research shows women tend to be more development-conscious and less corrupt than men.

Agnes Sohaya, who contested for the Chilimbondo ward but lost, said the project boosted her confidence and that she plans to return stronger in 2030. She claimed that some chiefs were hostile toward her and openly favored male candidates, putting her safety at risk.

She said without the threats she believed she could have won, noting that she led in seven areas while her opponent won in five. She added that they were advised to lodge a complaint with MEC, but she failed due to financial constraints as she could not afford a lawyer.

Senior Chief Dambe and Traditional Authority Chekucheku have pledged to help address the challenges women face in politics to ensure a level playing field during the 2030 elections.

The Nthawi Yawo project is funded by UNDP through the Centre for Civil Society Strengthening to a tune of K343 million, implemented since 2023 under the UNDP Electoral Support Program.