Gender activists in Malawi are planning to sue the government over lack of gender balance in parastatal board appointments announced by President Lazarus Chakwera in September.
The Women’s Manifesto Movement (WMM) said despite trying to engage the government to rethink the appointments, the parastatals had started working without the matter being resolved in violation of the country’s constitution.
They said they will challenge in court any decisions made by the parastatals.
Malawi’s constitution stipulates that not more than 60% of one gender shall be represented in public service appointments. The body says at least 10 parastatals have no female representation while others have not achieved the 60:40 balance.
WMM said the government had come up with “poor excuses” to explain its position.
Local newspaper The Nation has quoted the president’s Press Secretary Brian Banda as saying that Mr Chakwera was fully committed to addressing the organizations’ concerns and was open to dialogue on the matter.
