IEC Senior Manager Lydia Macheli said the as Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) they welcome initiatives such as the “60 for 60” for the WYDE campaign, describing it as an important conversation on increasing women’s participation and representation in leadership.
Macheli said while women have continued to raise concerns about limited representation, the challenge goes beyond numbers and requires changes within political party structures and the broader electoral system.
She noted that women often remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces despite having strong participation in political activities.
“Numbers matter, but numbers alone are not enough. We need women to be meaningfully represented in structures where decisions are made,” Macheli said.
She highlighted challenges facing women in politics, including gender stereotypes, lack of support among women themselves, and environments that discourage women from aspiring for leadership positions.
Macheli said the IEC’s responsibility is to promote knowledge and understanding of democratic processes, but initiatives aimed at improving women’s participation must remain inclusive and neutral, benefiting all political parties.
She also called for continued electoral reforms, saying existing systems such as the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) model have faced challenges, particularly around candidate lists and representation.
Macheli further emphasised the need to strengthen the participation of people with disabilities in politics, saying political parties must move beyond policies on paper and create practical opportunities for inclusion on people living with disabilities.
She said the IEC has continued engaging stakeholders, including through dialogues on disability rights and elections, to ensure that all citizens understand their right to participate, campaign and contest for leadership positions.
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