By Burnett Munthali
OXFAM-Malawi, in collaboration with the European Union, the Irish Deputy Head of Mission, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, held a high-level meeting with senior members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as part of efforts to ensure a smooth and inclusive 2025 Tripartite Elections.
The engagement comes at a critical moment as Malawi moves closer to the polls, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in the electoral process.
The DPP delegation at the meeting was led by Hon. Bright Msaka, SC, MP, who serves as the party’s Vice President for the Eastern Region.
Other senior members in attendance included Hon. Peter Mukhitho, the DPP Secretary General, and Hon. Mary Thom Navicha, MP, who is the party’s National Director of Women.
Also present were Hon. Dr. Jean Mathanga, the National Director of Elections, and Hon. Chifundo Makande, MP, who serves as the National Campaign Director.
During the discussions, Hon. Msaka expressed his gratitude to OXFAM-Malawi and its international partners for facilitating such an important engagement ahead of the elections.
He acknowledged that with just six months remaining before the elections set for 16 September 2025, political parties must work closely with development partners to promote democratic values and electoral integrity.
Hon. Msaka further emphasized the significance of such collaborations in fostering a political environment that upholds fairness, credibility, and the active participation of all stakeholders.
One of the key issues raised during the meeting was the need for increased support for female candidates in Malawian politics.
Speaking on behalf of women aspirants, Hon. Mary Thom Navicha made an appeal to OXFAM and other development partners to enhance financial support for women running for office.h
She pointed out that one of the biggest challenges female candidates face is the lack of adequate resources to mount strong and competitive election campaigns.
Hon. Navicha stressed that achieving a 50:50 gender representation in governance requires more than just policy advocacy.
She called for a more holistic and innovative approach that includes tangible financial empowerment to help level the playing field for women in politics.
Her remarks echoed concerns that despite ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in governance, financial constraints continue to be a major barrier preventing women from fully participating in elections.
OXFAM and its partners acknowledged these concerns, highlighting their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote women’s participation in politics and leadership.
The meeting underscored the need for a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing key electoral challenges, including issues of political financing, voter education, and electoral reforms.
As Malawi inches closer to the 2025 Tripartite Elections, such engagements between political parties and international development organizations are expected to play a crucial role in shaping a democratic and inclusive electoral process.
With the DPP being one of Malawi’s major political parties, the discussions with OXFAM-Malawi and European partners mark an important step in ensuring that all political players are adequately prepared for the upcoming elections.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen how these engagements will translate into actionable strategies that strengthen Malawi’s democracy and electoral integrity.
For now, the focus remains on continued dialogue, capacity-building, and resource mobilization to support a free, fair, and credible election in September 2025.
