Malawi Barometer 2013: Chapter 2 Governance

Key points

• With a SGDI score of 52% based on women’s representation in Parliament and cabinet Malawi lags behind most SADC countries, ranking eighth out of 15 Member States.
• Citizens were more generous with a CSC of 57%, which is five percentage points more than the SGDI score. Women and men almost scored their country the same mark, at 57% by women and 56% by men.
• In April 2012, Malawi became the first country in the SADC region to have a female president, Joyce Banda, after the sudden death of the incumbent Bingu wa Mutharika.
• In 2009 Malawi witnessed the highest number of women candidates aspiring for parliamentary positions compared to all previous elections; numbers increased from 136 women contesting and 27 elected in 2004 to 237 women contesting and 43 elected in 2009.
• The representation of women in parliament is low 22%; in cabinet 28% which is far from the 50% target.
• The next national elections will take place in 2014 where it is anticipated that local government elections will take place together with national general elections.
• The 50/ 50 campaign has taken centre stage as momentum to the tripartite elections in 2014 builds up.
• Urgent Action Fund for Africa launched the Women Steering Innovative Leadership in Africa in Malawi in September 2013.

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