Malawi goes to the polls tomorrow, September 16, but the scars of physical and verbal violence against women to intimidate and silence them off the race run deep.
There have been accounts of violence against women, particularly during the campaign period. These attacks, both physical and verbal, are intended to intimidate and silence women, which in turn affects their participation in politics.
Although they have experienced intimidation, parliamentary aspirants for Salima Central West and Machinga East constituencies, Jessie Kabwila and Esther Jolobala, respectively, have resolved to remain in the race.
On September 11, 2025, Kabwila initiated a defamation lawsuit against Sameer Suleman, the National Organising Secretary of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), due to comments he made at a political rally in Blantyre.
During this event, he insulted her by stating, ‘Kuchipaka Vaseline two days chili mbuu kutuwa’, suggesting that her skin is unresponsive to body lotion.
The remarks attracted further public bullying on social media. For example, Pat Abig Siliya commented, “But Suleman said the truth, is it wrong for one to say the truth? Or he said it at the wrong place?”
Through her lawyer George Kadzipatike, Kabwila, who is also MCP spokesperson and Minister of Higher Education, said the remarks had subjected her to public humiliation, scorn and ridicule.
“My client has been subjected to public humiliation, scorn and ridicule. Her reputation has suffered irreparable harm locally and internationally. As such, we demand damages for defamation, but also an order compelling the defendant to issue a public apology,” Kadzipatike told Nation Online.
On August 28, 2025, Jolobala was attacked by supporters allegedly aligned with her rival, Mustafa Pongolani. Her motorcade was blocked, and her bodyguard was brutally hacked.
The assailants dragged Jolobala through the streets while chanting derogatory songs, accusing her of performing rituals in a graveyard to secure victory in the upcoming elections. The incident was captured on video and quickly went viral across social media.
Pongolani has since been arrested and is facing charges of inciting violence and unlawful wounding, among others.
“It shocked me and deeply disturbed my family, relatives and constituents, who worried for our safety,” said Jolobala, a candidate for the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF).
To combat the vice, Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) has intensified its ‘No Violence Against Women in Elections’ (VAWE) campaign across the country.
In Machinga District, the initiative is targeting all eight constituencies and 16 wards, with the aim of promoting peaceful coexistence among candidates and their supporters before and after the elections.
The organisation is working with youth networks operating in 24 traditional authorities where leaders are trained to monitor potential acts of violence and address grievances.
According to Machinga District Principal Gender Development Officer Lawrence Matiti, the project has helped to reduce incidences of political violence during the current campaign period.
“We have established over 160 women of peace committees and about 60 men champions who are in the forefront sensitising communities against political violence, with special focus on female candidates.
“Machinga is one of the districts where, culturally, women are not regarded as capable leaders. Most incidents of political violence have been directed towards women, with the latest one being that against Jolobala,” he said.
Matiti said in collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, they have held over 35 community sensitisation meetings to promote the participation of women in elections and prevent violence within the elections’ period.
Senior Chief Nyambi from the district said the project is bearing fruit as incidents of political violence against women have gone down in his area.
“Apart from the decrease, we have also witnessed an increase in the number of women contesting for both parliamentary and local council positions. We encourage people to support female candidates and give them space to exercise their right to participate in political space,” he said.
He added that societal attitudes are gradually shifting, and the ongoing efforts are beginning to bear fruit, with women’s participation in politics showing steady improvement.
“Although we still encounter some cases, gender stereotypes and biases against women’s participation in politics are gradually breaking down,” the chief said.
Eastern Region Police spokesperson Patrick Mussa stated that the partnership between law enforcement and various stakeholders has contributed to a decrease in incidents of political violence.
“Together with political parties and traditional leaders, we have been conducting anti-political violence campaigns in the region, urging candidates, youths and community members to embrace peace and tolerance. Everyone, regardless of gender, must be given a conducive environment for peaceful campaigns that should lead to peaceful, credible and fair elections,” he said.
Mussa added that they are also engaging with grassroots community policing frameworks to ensure order, given that these members are chosen by the communities and instructed to stay non-partisan.
WOLREC Project Officer Ireen Ntonga underscored an initiative aimed at condemning violence against women, emphasising that such actions hinder the involvement of women and individuals with disabilities in the electoral process.
She highlighted the importance of a supportive environment that enables women to interact with candidates’ manifestos and make well-informed voting choices, asserting that the prevention of violence against women is vital for a peaceful and inclusive election.
Incidents of political violence and intimidation highlight how far Malawi still has to go in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), which aims to ensure women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
The African Union states that although women’s representation in parliament increased from 16.7 percent in 2014 to 23 percent in 2020, and women currently hold only 14.5 percent of seats in local councils in Malawi, these figures remain below the regional and global aspiration of 50:50 gender parity.
In a press statement in May 2025 after engaging stakeholders in Malawi on women’s political participation ahead of the General Elections, the AU said this level of under-representation underscores the importance of continued efforts to strengthen legal and policy frameworks that promote gender equality in political participation.
