Ntcheu, Malawi – In a disappointing outcome for women’s political representation, none of the nine women who contested parliamentary seats in Ntcheu District secured a win, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s elections.

The female candidates competed across five of the district’s eight constituencies. Ntcheu Bwanje recorded the highest number of women aspirants, with three candidates vying for the seat.

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Of the nine women who contested, only three were sponsored by political parties. These included Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-presidential candidate Jane Ansah in Ntcheu North West, Martha Kamng’na of UTM in Dzonzi Mvai Constituency, and Elizabeth Kaludzu of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in Ntcheu Central East.

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The remaining six candidates ran as independents. They were Annie Mateauma (Ntcheu Central Central East), Memory Kamanga (Dzonzi Mvai), Emma Cynthia Kossam (Ntcheu Central East), and three contenders in Ntcheu Bwanje — Pamela Makwangwala, Lucy Lunguzi Mauluka, and former deputy minister Nancy Chaola Mdooko.

This outcome underscores the ongoing challenges women face in gaining political representation in Malawi, despite efforts by political parties and civil society to encourage female participation in governance. Analysts suggest that targeted support and robust party backing remain critical for increasing women’s success in future elections.