EZULWINI, (Maravi Post): Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament for Salima North West Constituency, Dr. Jessie Kabwira has been unanimously elected as the Chairperson for Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC)’s Parliamentary Women Caucus after beating other two contestants from South Africa and Tanzania.
The elections were held on Friday, evening, June 3 at Ezulwini, Swaziland during the sidelines of the SADC Parliamentary Forum which Malawi and other 12 countries are members to the regional grouping.
Kabwira nomination comes barely a week after party demoted her in Malawi Parliament seating arrangement from position one to 79 which other quarters of the society has questioned the wisdom behind the move based on the influence Kabwira has to the party politics and on the ground.
Kabwira who is also MCP’s spokesperson has taken over the position from Mozambique and together with her deputy Hon Mutsvangwa of Zimbabwe will run the office for two years.
Speaking in an exclusive telephone interview with The Maravi Post from Swaziland on Saturday to share lighter moments with the nation upon attaining such a regional post, Kabwira minced no word but praised Almighty God saying she will dedicate the position to the rural women in the entire SADC region.
“It’s indeed that I have been unanimously elected as SADC Women Caucus Chair after beating other contestants from South Africa and Tanzania. I was elected on the same day when SADC Parliamentary Forum (PF) moved historic motion on SADC PF model law on ending child marriage which is the first in the world.
“I’m very excited that I could get this prestigious position for Malawi especially coming at the back of my demotion in parliament from position one to 79. I’m very happy that I have been seen to be of use and substance at SADC level. I’m much honored and humbled that all counties. This nomination is evidence that Malawi is being recognized for its skills of leadership at SADC, continental and global level. Malawi is vice president, chairing gender and now the women’s caucus.
“Therefore, I would like to dedicate this position to the rural poor women of the SADC region, may my work help alleviate the oppression you live and battle every day. I hope this will give visibility to the region for the efficient and relevant to the lives of the woman in the village, the urban poor while narrowing the gap between parliament and the African heath”, delighted Kabwira.
Currently, Kabwira together with other MCP officials including Peter Chankhwatha and shadow MP Ulemu Msungama are on bail for alleged treason and sedition charges as the state is failing to commit the case in the court of law for over three months now whose reasons for the delay have not made yet to the public.
