By Suleman Chitera
Chipembere Community Development Organisation in Thyolo district has launched a two-year project aimed at promoting peace and preventing conflict among women and youths in rural communities. The initiative seeks to address the growing concerns over the involvement of youths in political violence and the exclusion of women from meaningful electoral participation.
Speaking during a district stakeholders’ meeting, Chipembere’s projects officer, Sandrina Tchapuleni, expressed concern over the frequent exploitation of youths during political rallies and elections. “It is worrisome that youths are often used to commit acts of violence, especially during political rallies and in the aftermath of elections,” Tchapuleni said. She emphasized the need to foster dialogue and civic engagement to prevent such conflicts in the future.
Tchapuleni also disclosed that the organisation plans to launch debates and awareness campaigns within local communities to promote peaceful participation in elections. “We aim to encourage peaceful behavior and ensure that women and youths play a constructive role in electoral processes, rather than being manipulated by political actors,” she added.
During the same event, Daniel Majamamba, District Elections Officer for Thyolo, highlighted the critical but often overlooked role of women and youths in elections. He noted that political parties frequently use these groups to boost support but neglect their concerns regarding peace and electoral integrity. “The contributions of women and youths are too often sidelined when it comes to peaceful elections. This project offers a promising shift, positioning them not as passive participants but as central actors in promoting peace,” Majamamba said.
The two-year project, funded by UN Women through the Peace and Humanitarian Fund, is set to be implemented in four Traditional Authorities (TAs) across the district: Changata, Mchilamwera, Maggie, and Bvumbwe. Through its efforts, Chipembere aims to build a more inclusive and peaceful electoral environment, ensuring that women and youths are empowered to lead in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
This initiative is a timely intervention in light of growing concerns over political violence and the need for more peaceful and inclusive elections in Malawi. By focusing on dialogue and community engagement, Chipembere Community Development Organisation hopes to foster a culture of peace that will resonate far beyond the boundaries of Thyolo.
