Former Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda has officially been confirmed as Vice President of Malawi, the first female to hold this seat in the nation.  Chosen to run alongside incumbent President Mutharika, Banda served as a candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party in one of the most peaceful and well-organized elections of African history.

This remarkable development is not without some disappointment for proponents of women’s participation in politics –of a record 232 female candidates for parliament, just over 40 were successfully elected this May.  An initiative known as the ’50-50’ campaign has been largely responsible for the promotion of the practical involvement of women within the political sphere of Malawian life.  In this most recent electoral contest, the surprising losses of female representative seats occur in the backdrop of a historic win at the Executive level of government.

Having personally experienced the social and economic inequities of life as an impoverished Malawian woman, Banda formed a National Association of Business Women with the intention of enabling women to raise themselves from poverty through the employ of self-sufficient and sustainable businesses.  A shining example for struggling young women of Malawi, Joyce Banda will introduce a unique perspective to her newfound position in government.

Vital Voices congratulates Vice President Banda on her victory, and anticipates the realization of her admirable plans for the women and larger society of Malawi in the years to follow.

MALAWI: MALAWI HAS FIRST FEMALE VICE PRESIDENT -iKNOW Politics