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Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
MANGWE Rural District Council proportional representation Councillor Simphiwe Vuyelwa Mguni is among the Zimbabwean representatives attending the Southern Africa Academy for Young Women’s Empowerment in Malawi.
The event, which brings together 30 participants from South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Namibia, aims to enhance young women’s leadership and political engagement. Cllr Mguni is representing Zimbabwe alongside Ms Anna Sande and Mrs Tendai Chatikobo.
Her participation marks a major milestone, particularly as she represents a rural community under the Government’s 30 percent women’s quota system at the local government level, which was implemented during the 2023 harmonised elections.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), in collaboration with UN Women, is hosting the three-day event, which began on Tuesday and concludes tomorrow.
The academy is part of the European Union (EU)-funded Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) Women’s Leadership Initiative, which is implemented in partnership with UN Women, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), under the overall leadership of UN Women.
The initiative aligns with the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III), which prioritises equal participation, representation, and leadership of women in democratic processes. It also complements the EU Youth Action Plan in external action, which aims to amplify young voices, particularly those of young women, in policy and decision-making.
The opening session was officiated by Malawi’s Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Ms Jean Mounawauza Sendeza. Also present were Malawi’s Principal Secretary for Finance Nwazi Mnthambala, UN Women representative Fatma Mohamed Abdelkarim, International IDEA Principal Advisor on Democracy and Inclusion Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu, and European Union Team Leader for Social Sectors Michele Crimella.
At the end of the academy, participants will receive certificates and develop personal and group action plans for advancing women’s political participation across Southern Africa.
Speaking from Malawi after the first day’s sessions, Cllr Mguni expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to engage with fellow young women leaders.
“It is indeed an honour to be among such a powerful group of young women gathered to better understand how to be effective politicians,” she said.
“I hope to come out of this academy equipped with the knowledge to be a better politician who can more adequately serve people as a young woman.”
Online Reporter